Axios reports:
A direct communications channel between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has been reactivated in recent days, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.
Trump today said they weren’t talking about a deal but it would make sense that both sides would at least want to establish some channels.
The Axios report says it’s not clear how substantive the messages passed were but they’re the first known communication.
The foreign min has repeatedly tweeted throughout the war.
Yesterday he wrote:
Iran has neither sought a truce nor talks. Such claims are delusional.
Our Powerful Armed Forces will keep firing until POTUS realizes that illegal war he’s imposing on both Americans and Iranians is wrong and must never be repeated. Victims must also be compensated.
Everyone talks tough until it’s time to make a deal, so I wouldn’t read too much into that. What’s less clear is whether Araghchi and the government have control of the armed forces.
A separate NBC report hitting at the same time says:
Trump presented daily with options to end Iran war but hasn’t taken any; off-ramps part of standard war planning alongside escalation options
He didn’t sound like he was in a rush today so it might take a bigger rise in oil to get him there.
