US seeks Iran talks this week on nuclear deal, ceasefire: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
17 Jun 2025 06:19

Amid the ongoing confrontations between Iran and "Israel", the White House explores direct US-Iran talks to revive the nuclear deal and end the hostilities.

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President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP)

The White House is considering direct talks with Iran this week as US President Donald Trump explores a last-minute diplomatic path to avoid a full-scale war, Axios reported on Tuesday.

Four sources briefed on the matter confirmed that a meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is under discussion.

The proposed meeting, while not yet finalized, is viewed as a pivotal moment in determining whether the US-Iran nuclear talks can be revived and whether Washington will ultimately join the ongoing military confrontation between the Israeli occupation and Iran.

"A meeting with the Iranians this week is under consideration," a US official confirmed.

The White House sees the engagement as a possible turning point in shifting the momentum from battlefield escalation to dealmaking.

Trump sees bunker busters as leverage for a deal

Trump, according to a senior US official, believes that the massive bunker-busting bombs possessed by the United States, but not by "Israel", give Washington a unique position to influence Iran.

These bombs are capable of targeting Iran’s underground enrichment site at Fordow, which has become a key focus in the unfolding crisis.

Trump "thinks in terms of deals and leverage. And this is leverage,” the official said. “They do want to talk," the official continued. "But what we don't know is, 'have they been brought to their knees fully so that they realize that in order to have a country, they have to talk?' And assuming they get there, is there any degree of enrichment you would allow them to have?"

US denies involvement in Israeli war effort

Despite widespread speculation, the White House denied reports that the US had joined the Israeli war effort.

On Monday night, Trump posted on Truth Social urging civilians in Tehran to evacuate immediately, shortly before abruptly leaving the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington.

These moves, combined with reported explosions in Tehran, fueled rumors in Israeli and international media that the US had entered the war.

White House spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer pushed back, saying, “American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that position in a Fox News interview, emphasizing, “President Trump hopes there will be peace.”

At the G7, Trump was heard saying, “As soon as I leave here, we’re going to be doing something,” while reiterating his belief that a deal is still possible.

“I think a deal will be signed. I think Iran is foolish not to sign one,” he stated.

G7 leaders back diplomacy, await outcome of US-Iran contact

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Trump had discussed the US proposal to meet with Iran, telling reporters, “The Americans have made an offer to meet with the Iranians. We will see what happens.”

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer voiced support for a diplomatic solution, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and continued engagement.