US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has held multiple phone conversations with Iran’s foreign minister since Israel launched strikes on Iran last week, Reuters reported, citing three diplomats.
These exchanges are part of broader diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict and represent the most meaningful direct contact between Washington and Tehran since their negotiations resumed in April.
According to the diplomats, Iranian official Abbas Araqchi told Witkoff that “Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped its attacks.”
The report states that the talks briefly touched on a US proposal delivered to Iran at the end of last month.
The plan reportedly involves forming a regional consortium to enrich uranium outside Iranian territory — an idea Iran has thus far rejected.
Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington today.
NBC News, citing US officials, reported that Witkoff is also expected to attend the meeting.
