In an effort to stop the growing conflict between Iran and Israel, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have held a series of secret phone calls within the last week, according to three diplomats who spoke to Reuters anonymously.
The diplomats announced that Araqchi asserted strongly that Iran would not revisit the negotiating table until Israel stops its continuous airstrikes, which commenced on June 13. The calls constitute the most direct and serious communication between the US and Iran since indirect negotiations restarted in April.
Among the topics of discussion was a US initiative introduced in late May and called for forming a regional uranium enrichment group beyond Iran’s borders a move Tehran has spurned in the past. One regional diplomat close to Iran stated Araqchi offered intimation of flexibility on the nuclear front if the US put pressure on Israel to cease the bombardments.
This first round of diplomacy, led by Washington, featured a new offer intended to end the impasse on uranium enrichment a core issue that separates the two countries. Although President Trump is adamant Iran has to stop all uranium enrichment on its territory, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei believes this right is inalienable.
European powers have also joined the fight. British, French, and German foreign ministers had a teleconference meeting with Araqchi and intend to meet him in Geneva on Friday, EU and Iranian officials said. The European three want to act as a diplomatic overpass since Iran cannot at the moment hold public talks with Washington because of the ongoing Israeli airstrikes and intensifying domestic pressures.
President Trump, though equivocal on American military action, has expressed interest in a diplomatic resolution, proposing Iranian leaders come to Washington though he made it clear Iran would have to first satisfy US conditions.