Iran denies direct talks with US despite Axios report
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Axios reports a direct communication channel between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
- Iran denies any recent contact and insists it will not negotiate a ceasefire under current attacks.
Axios reported a direct communication channel had been established between American envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid ongoing attacks on Iran. Araghchi has denied the claim, saying no such contact has occurred since the start of the hostilities.
According to Axios, Araghchi sent text messages to Witkoff focused on ending the war. The report cited US sources stating that President Donald Trump was open to a deal allowing Iran to rejoin the global economy and benefit from oil exports, while maintaining that Washington would not negotiate from a position of weakness.
Read more: ‘Israel’ says no direct talks planned with Lebanon to stop the war
Iranian denial
Araghchi said on X that any claims of recent communication were false and designed to mislead oil traders and the public. He said his last contact with Witkoff occurred before what he called an illegal US military strike on Iran.
My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 16, 2026
Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public.
An Iranian official told Drop Site News that messages from Witkoff were ignored due to decisions by Iran’s senior authorities. Tehran has reportedly reaffirmed that only the Supreme Leader has the authority to declare a ceasefire.
Strategy amid war
Iran has informed other countries that it will not accept any agreement allowing US or 'Israeli' attacks to continue. Officials said Iran’s strategy focuses on opening multiple fronts, conducting diverse attacks, and gradually exhausting the adversary to create conditions for a lasting ceasefire.
Read more: Iran 'negotiating' with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy
US President Trump acknowledged Monday that Iran had reached out to the US but said he did not know if the contacts were authorized to negotiate a deal. He also expressed uncertainty about Iran’s decision-making, citing deaths among senior officials and the unclear status of the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran will continue defending itself against US and 'Israeli' attacks, insisting there is no pathway for Washington to achieve victory. He added that Iran has never requested a ceasefire or negotiations.
