Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Trump, Erdogan made covert attempts to hold talks with Iran: Axios

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Axios
  • 21 Jun 2025 23:01
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Trump and Erdogan planned secret US-Iran talks in Istanbul, Axios reports, but Iran canceled after the talks could not be approved

Listen
  • x
  • US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)
    US President Donald Trump arrives to board Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Friday, June 20, 2025, en route to Montclair, New Jersey (AP)

In a report published by Axios, it was claimed that US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a covert attempt this week to organize a high-level meeting between senior US and Iranian officials in Istanbul, aiming to explore a diplomatic resolution to the escalating war the Israeli occupation is waging on Iran.

According to multiple US officials and a source with direct knowledge cited by Axios, Erdogan proposed the idea during a phone call with Trump on Monday, while Trump was attending a G7 summit in Canada. The Turkish president suggested hosting talks in Istanbul the very next day between the two sides.

Trump welcomed the proposal and reportedly told Erdogan he was willing to send Vice President JD Vance and his special envoy Steve Witkoff to the meeting. He even expressed readiness to travel to Turkiye himself to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, should that be necessary to advance negotiations.

Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan subsequently relayed the US offer to President Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Meeting remained unapproved

However, the Iranian delegation was unable to secure approval from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei. Citing “security concerns,” sources told Axios that Khamenei could not be reached. As a result, Tehran was unable to proceed, and Turkiye informed the US that the meeting was canceled.

Related News

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

Following the breakdown, Trump posted a series of statements on his social media platform Truth Social, addressing the war on Iran.

“Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” Trump wrote.

While some interpreted the posts as a reaction to the failed talks, a senior White House official clarified that the collapse of the negotiations was not the sole reason for Trump’s online comments, adding that there was “no direct correlation.”

No US talks while Iran is under attack

Iran's missile program and military capabilities are "non-negotiable", Araghchi stated on Friday. Speaking ahead of a diplomatic meeting in Geneva, Araghchi stated that Iran has not engaged in any direct communication with the United States, despite reported efforts through intermediaries.

“We have never had any contact with the Americans. The United States requested negotiations through mediators, but we refused,” Araghchi said.

He emphasized that Iran is unwilling to hold talks while Israeli attacks on Iranian territory persist. “We are not prepared to hold talks with anyone under these conditions,” he said, referencing continued escalations.

Araghchi added that Iran’s resistance to these attacks is expected to influence international positions. “After our resistance to Israel, I believe that countries will distance themselves from this aggression,” he said, adding that efforts to de-escalate the conflict have already begun and are expected to increase.

Araghchi’s comments came ahead of a high-level diplomatic meeting with European foreign ministers, including representatives from Britain, France, and Germany, as well as EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. The Geneva talks were the first direct diplomatic engagement since Iran-US indirect talks collapsed earlier in June.

  • United States
  • Turkiye
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • Donald Trump
  • Iran
  • Masoud Pezeshkian
  • Abbas Araghchi
  • Sayyed Ali Khamenei
War on Iran

War on Iran

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS