The news outlet Axios revealed that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been in contact with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff amid threats by President Donald Trump to use military force against Iran. This communication is seen as the first indication that a direct channel between the two countries remains open, despite the suspension of nuclear talks and the exchange of threats.
According to sources cited by Axios, the contact appeared to be an attempt by Iran to de-escalate tensions with the United States—or at least to buy time before Trump orders any further action to weaken the regime.
A well-informed source said Araghchi and Witkoff discussed the possibility of holding a meeting in the coming days, though it remains unclear whether the conversation took place via phone or text. Both the White House and the State Department declined to comment.
Axios emphasized that this exchange marks the first sign that direct communication between Washington and Tehran is still active, despite the current deadlock in nuclear negotiations and rising hostilities.
President Trump stated on Sunday that Iran had reached out to the U.S. the day before and proposed negotiating a nuclear agreement. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “We may meet with them. A meeting is being arranged, but we might have to act before that, depending on what happens.”
Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters that “the communication channel between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the U.S. special envoy remains open, and messages are exchanged whenever necessary.”