US, Iran Officials Held Several Direct Talks Amid Escalating Israel Conflict: Report

Last Updated:June 19, 2025, 21:41 IST

Israel-Iran Conflict: The discussions were aimed at finding a diplomatic resolution and began after Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran starting June 13.

US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei | AP Image

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have held multiple phone conversations since Israel began striking Iranian targets last week, as part of a behind-the-scenes effort to de-escalate the growing regional crisis, three diplomats said as per Reuters.

The discussions were aimed at finding a diplomatic resolution to the volatile standoff and began after Israel launched a series of strikes on Iran starting June 13, Reuters reported citing the unnamed diplomats.

Abbas Araqchi made it clear that Iran would not consider re-entering negotiations unless Israel halts its military campaign as one of the diplomats said, “Tehran is unwilling to engage diplomatically while under fire."

Neither the US State Department nor Iran’s Foreign Ministry has officially confirmed the talks. The backchannel discussions come amid rising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, as US allies push for restraint while tensions continue to mount between Israel and Iran.

Mallika Soni

When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?"

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News world US, Iran Officials Held Several Direct Talks Amid Escalating Israel Conflict: Report