The Trump administration has conveyed to Iran through several channels that it is open to a meeting to negotiate a deal, a senior US official told Axios on Sunday. <\/p>\n
The diplomatic effort comes as President Donald Trump has ordered a major military buildup in the Gulf, increasing concerns over whether talks can prevent a US strike on Iran and a wider regional conflict.<\/p>\n
According to regional sources, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar are working to arrange a meeting in Ankara later this week between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and senior Iranian officials. <\/p>\n
“It is moving. We are doing our best,” an official from one of the countries told Axios. A second US official confirmed that such a meeting could take place in Turkey this week.<\/p>\n
The three countries that helped the Trump administration broker the Gaza ceasefire are now pushing for US-Iran negotiations to avert a regional war, the report noted. White House officials say Trump has not made a final decision on a strike and remains open to diplomacy. US officials add that Trump’s recent comments about negotiations are not a bluff, but Washington does not know whether Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will allow his diplomats to pursue a deal acceptable to the United States.<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey have been speaking with both sides and coordinating their efforts, sources told Axios.<\/p>\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN on Sunday that “friendly countries” are working to build confidence between Washington and Tehran, describing these efforts as “fruitful.” <\/p>\n
He added, “I see the possibility of another talk if the US negotiations team follows what President Trump said: to come to a fair and equitable deal to ensure there are no nuclear weapons.”<\/p>\n