Washington and Tehran speak directly: what is known about the talks
19 June 2025 20:59
Iran has held direct talks with the United States amid an escalating conflict with Israel. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to a Reuters report.
Three independent diplomats told the agency that US Special Envoy for Iranian Affairs Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have already spoken several times by phone after Israel began launching air strikes on Iranian territory.
Sources claim that Washington’s goal is to deter further escalation and convince the Iranian side to return to diplomatic negotiations. However, the Iranian side has put forward a tough condition: according to Araghchi, Tehran will not return to any dialogue until Israel stops the strikes that began on June 13, 2025. The strikes were a response to Iran’s alleged arms shipments to groups in Syria and Lebanon, as well as to the resumption of active uranium enrichment at disputed sites.
In addition to security issues, the discussions between the parties also touched upon one of the key points that the United States unofficially conveyed through intermediaries back in May: the possible creation of a regional uranium enrichment consortium. According to the proposal, Iran could transfer part of its nuclear facilities to third countries, such as Oman or Kazakhstan, under international control. In this way, the country would retain access to the peaceful atom without violating restrictions or creating conditions for the possible production of weapons of mass destruction.
However, according to sources, the Iranian side has rejected this proposal several times, considering it an encroachment on national sovereignty. Moreover, against the backdrop of Israeli strikes, any compromise scenarios are now perceived in Tehran as an attempt at pressure rather than dialogue.
However, the very fact that high-ranking diplomats of both countries maintain direct contact indicates the seriousness of their intentions to avoid a full-scale war. The United States, for its part, has publicly expressed concern about Israel’s actions, but officially continues to insist on Tel Aviv’s right to self-defense.
Washington is expected to continue to use mediators – primarily Oman, Qatar, and Switzerland – to organize the next rounds of consultations if the situation stabilizes. However, diplomatic progress is possible only if Israeli attacks stop, which has not yet been observed.
What preceded the U.S.-Iranian dialog
Israel launched several air strikes on facilities that it claims are used by Iran to enrich uranium as part of its nuclear program. In response, Iran launched a massive drone and missile strike against Israeli targets. These events not only caused civilian casualties, but also provoked a sharp reaction from the international community. The United States, an ally of Israel, has increased its military presence in the region and warned of the possibility of direct intervention.
In these circumstances, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran became a necessity.
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union are actively involved in resolving the conflict. Oman plays a key role in providing a neutral platform for communication. The G7 countries support diplomatic de-escalation, considering it the only alternative to a large-scale armed conflict.
Although direct contact between Iran and the United States is a positive signal, the parties remain at fundamentally different positions. The United States demands tough concessions from Iran, while Tehran wants recognition of its regional interests and guarantees of inviolability.
It is expected that new rounds of dialogue may take place in July, provided that Israel does not resume strikes and the United States does not intensify its military presence in the conflict zone.
The conflict between Iran and Israel: what is it about?
In June 2025, the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated to the level of open war. on June 13, Israel launched air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities – in particular, in Tehran, Isfahan, and the Natanz uranium processing facility – as part of an operation codenamed “Rising Lion”. According to Reuters, the strikes destroyed up to 100 different targets, including command centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and nuclear research facilities.
In response, Iran used hundreds of ballistic missiles and dozens of drones against Israel, hitting military bases and civilian infrastructure, including buildings in central Israel and telecommunications facilities. The number of casualties in Tehran reached more than 224, and about 320 people were injured, including many civilians.
The conflict has caused significant destabilization of the regional oil market: crude oil prices jumped after news of the strikes and possible US involvement. Turkey has also stepped up border security, fearing a security breach.
It is noted that Mosad and the Israeli army coordinated: the use of drones from Iran allowed them to destroy air defense systems before the main strikes. This was an example of a hybrid strategy – a combination of cyber operations, intelligence, and aviation.
Israel’s main goals – neutralizing Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and weakening the regime of Supreme Leader Khamenei – can be considered the first phase of a large-scale strategy. Iran, in turn, has said that it does not plan to escalate beyond the territory of Israel unless provoked.
Thus, in real time, the Israel-Iran conflict is entering the phase of high-tech hybrid warfare. Negotiations between the United States and Iran indicate attempts to resolve the crisis diplomatically, but both sides continue to strike. Future developments will depend on Israel’s and Iran’s willingness to make truces and concessions.
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