A channel for direct communication between U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been re-established in recent days, according to reports. The development comes amid ongoing conflict and raises questions about potential diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Axios reported the renewed communication, citing an American source.
Even as the significance of the messages exchanged between Araghchi and Witkoff remains unclear, this marks the first known direct contact between the two countries since the start of the war more than two weeks ago.
Araghchi disputed the reports in a post on X, stating, “My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer’s decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran. Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public.”
A U.S. Official countered Araghchi’s statement, asserting that the Iranian foreign minister was not being truthful and that he had initiated contact with Witkoff.
Drop Site News reported Monday that Witkoff had been sending messages to Araghchi, and cited Iranian officials claiming the foreign minister had ignored the White House envoy’s messages.
The U.S. Official acknowledged that the initial contact came from the Iranian side, but maintained that the United States “is not negotiating” with Iran.
President Trump stated Monday that Iran had communicated with the U.S., but expressed uncertainty about whether the Iranian officials involved were authorized to reach an agreement.
“They want to make a deal. They’re talking to our people, we have people who want to negotiate, but we have no idea who they are,” Trump told reporters.
Despite expressing skepticism about Tehran’s willingness to strike a deal, Trump indicated he was not opposed to negotiations with the Iranians, “since sometimes quality things come out of it.”
He also noted uncertainty surrounding the leadership structure within Iran, stating that many high-ranking officials were deceased and suggesting that the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, had not been seen and may also be dead.
A senior U.S. Official dismissed Iranian demands for “reparations” as part of a peace agreement, but stated that Trump was open to a deal that would allow Iran “to integrate with the rest of the world and make money from its oil.”
“The President is always open to a deal. But he’s not negotiating from a position of weakness. He’s not backing down from the reasons this conflict started,” the official said.
Iranian representatives have publicly stated in recent days that they are not engaged in any ceasefire negotiations with the Trump administration.
Officials have indicated that Iran is not interested in a temporary ceasefire that would allow the U.S. And Israel to regroup and re-attack, but is seeking guarantees that any peace agreement would be permanent.
Araghchi was not considered a key decision-maker in Iran before the war, and U.S. Officials do not believe he has the authority to make decisions today.
However, Iranian sources suggest that the foreign minister appears to be coordinating his actions with Ali Larijani, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, who is considered the de facto civilian leader of Iran following the death of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
U.S. Officials view Araghchi as a point of contact due to existing relationships and the fact that he remains alive.
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