US envoy and Iran's FM exchange texts on ending war: Report
2026-03-16 - 23:12
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have exchanged text messages focused on ending the ongoing war, according to a report Monday from Axios. The communication represents the first known direct contact between the two sides since hostilities erupted more than two weeks ago, potentially signaling a shift in the conflict's trajectory. Iran initiated contact According to a US official cited by Axios, Araghchi initiated the exchange by sending texts to Witkoff. This contradicts an earlier Drop Site News report claiming that Iran had been ignoring outreach from the White House envoy. Despite the reported communication, a US official told Axios that Washington is "not talking" to Iran, suggesting the exchange may be preliminary or exploratory in nature. Questions remain regarding Tehran's willingness and authority to engage in substantive negotiations. Trump confirms communications President Donald Trump acknowledged Monday that Iranian officials have been in contact with Washington, telling reporters: "They want to make a deal. They're talking to our people." However, the president cast doubt on whether those communicating represent Iran's true decision-makers. "We have people wanting to negotiate. We have no idea who they are," Trump said, raising questions about the Islamic Republic's internal dynamics amid the ongoing military campaign that has claimed more than 1,200 lives since Feb. 28, including a former Iranian leader. Uncertain path forward The conflicting signals—reported direct communication alongside official skepticism—highlight the complexity of potential backchannel diplomacy during active conflict. Anadolu reached out to the White House for comment on the Axios report but received no response at time of publication. As the war enters its third week with Iran retaliating against US assets across the region and maintaining its closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the reported text exchange could represent either a genuine opening or a tactical maneuver by either side.