US, Iran Officials Held Several Direct Talks Amid Escalating Israel Conflict: Report
Last Updated:
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 Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi 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 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.
Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates: What Happened On Day 7
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz issued one of the most direct threats against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that he 'can no longer be allowed to exist" following a missile strike that hit a hospital near Tel Aviv. Katz called Ayatollah Khamenei a 'cowardly dictator" responsible for war crimes and vowed that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) would intensify their operations to eliminate the threat.
Meanwhile, Iran dismissed US President Donald Trump's demand for 'unconditional surrender," with Ayatollah Khamenei warning of 'irreparable damage" if the US intervenes militarily. The Iranian leader said, 'The Iranian nation cannot be surrendered," defiantly rejecting what he called the 'language of threats."
About the Author
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?"
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
June 19, 2025, 21:41 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fly back via Jordan: Embassy to students stranded in Israel
1 2 3 4 5 6 Kolkata: The news that the Indian govt is likely to start operating rescue flights for the evacuees from Israel soon has come as a breather for Bengal students stranded in the war-torn country. The Indian embassy in Israel has advised them, especially those at universities in central Israel, to to register themselves and move out of the country through Jordan. "The students will have to travel to the Israel-Jordan border. From there, they will have to reach the airport and fly out from there," said Akash Panja, who is pursuing research in medicinal chemistry at Ariel University, Israel. While Panja and his wife have decided to stay back and wait for the situation to improve, students who faced the war-like situation for the first time are looking at ways to move out. Abir Mukhopadhyay, a research scholar from Asansol, is stranded in Rehovot. He is pursuing his post-doctoral research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. Earlier this week, when Iran dropped missiles in Rehovot, it destroyed a number of laboratories, including those catering to cardiac regeneration and cancer research. "We are glued to the television now and following the developments there. We want him back in India now. We are talking to him multiple times during the day. He told us that the MEA is reaching out to students for evacuation," said Subhashis Mukhopadhyay, father of Abir. "We have sent a letter to the Indian govt, and Nabanna is also intervening to expedite the process," he said. "I am confused with the developments. I will take some time to decide if I am ready to take the journey," said Aniruddha Bera, a research fellow at Tel Aviv University. Aniruddha's father, Asim Bera, a retired teacher, said, "We are worried, but there's nothing we can do in this situation. We have to wait until the Indian govt rescues them." Divya Mukhopadhyay, a researcher from Khardah, is pursuing post-doctoral research in plant pathology at the University of Jerusalem. The missiles struck areas barely 1.5 km from his residence. Despite the threat, he has decided to wait, hoping for the situation to improve. "Shops are open, and people are managing. He was working from home, as per Israel govt advisories. He will watch the situation for a few more days," said his uncle, Subhamay Mukhopadhyay.
Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
Iran Israel latest: When will Donald Trump decide whether to strike Islamic Republic in middle-east? White House reveals timeline
It remained unclear whether US President Donald Trump would task American forces to join Israel's sweeping campaign against Iran's military and nuclear program. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to strike Iran, the White House said on Thursday, saying Trump still sees a 'substantial' chance that negotiations can achieve the US and Israeli demands on Iran's nuclear program. Trump's announcement, relayed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, puts an extended timeline on the president's warnings to Iran to immediately shut down its enrichment operations and any other potential for producing nuclear weapons, as per AP report.'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future. I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Leavitt quoted Trump as saying, AP it remained unclear whether US President Donald Trump would task American forces to join Israel's sweeping campaign against Iran's military and nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would 'do what's best for America.'US officials said earlier this week that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him, 'at least not for now.'The US has been weighing whether to join Israel's attack by striking Iran's well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' has said he wants something 'much bigger' than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the U.S. joining in Israel's conflict began last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists. At least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1,300 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights has retaliated by firing hundreds of missiles and drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding 240 has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, in addition to having a nuclear power plant, it also enriches uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich at that level, AP is widely believed to have nuclear weapons — making it the only such state in the Middle East — but does not acknowledge having such arms, as per the AP report.A1. Iran has uranium enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, and a nuclear site in Isfahan. Fordow is the deepest nuclear facility. (90 meter). Arak heavy water reactor, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Tehran, was reportedly used to produce plutonium.A2. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons — making it the only such state in the Middle East — but does not acknowledge having such arms, as per the AP report.
Economic Times
30 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Iran Israel latest: When will Donald Trump decide whether to strike Islamic Republic in middle-east? White House reveals timeline
It remained unclear whether US President Donald Trump would task American forces to join Israel's sweeping campaign against Iran's military and nuclear program. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads FAQs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to strike Iran, the White House said on Thursday, saying Trump still sees a 'substantial' chance that negotiations can achieve the US and Israeli demands on Iran's nuclear program. Trump's announcement, relayed by press secretary Karoline Leavitt, puts an extended timeline on the president's warnings to Iran to immediately shut down its enrichment operations and any other potential for producing nuclear weapons, as per AP report.'Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future. I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,' Leavitt quoted Trump as saying, AP it remained unclear whether US President Donald Trump would task American forces to join Israel's sweeping campaign against Iran's military and nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would 'do what's best for America.'US officials said earlier this week that Trump had vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Trump later said there were no plans to kill him, 'at least not for now.'The US has been weighing whether to join Israel's attack by striking Iran's well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but America's 'bunker-buster' has said he wants something 'much bigger' than a ceasefire and has not ruled out the U.S. joining in Israel's conflict began last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, senior officers and nuclear scientists. At least 639 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 1,300 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights has retaliated by firing hundreds of missiles and drones, killing at least 24 people in Israel and wounding 240 has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. However, in addition to having a nuclear power plant, it also enriches uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent. Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich at that level, AP is widely believed to have nuclear weapons — making it the only such state in the Middle East — but does not acknowledge having such arms, as per the AP report.A1. Iran has uranium enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, and a nuclear site in Isfahan. Fordow is the deepest nuclear facility. (90 meter). Arak heavy water reactor, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Tehran, was reportedly used to produce plutonium.A2. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons — making it the only such state in the Middle East — but does not acknowledge having such arms, as per the AP report.
