US Media Reports US and Iran Reactivate Direct Communication Channel

Washington — A direct communication channel between US and Iranian officials has been reactivated in recent days, according to US online media outlet Axios on Monday (16 March), citing a US official and a source with knowledge of the matter.

Communication between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi represents the first known direct contact between the two nations since the US and Israel launched major strikes against Iran on 28 February, the report revealed.

A US official told Axios that Araghchi was the party attempting to establish communication, but added that the US side was “not currently negotiating” with Iran.

However, Drop Site News reported on the same day that Witkoff had sent a message to Araghchi. The outlet also quoted statements from Iranian officials claiming that Araghchi was ignoring messages from the US envoy.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (16 March) also stated that Iran wants to reach an agreement with the US, but the White House remains uncertain about who holds decision-making authority in Iran.

“They want to make a deal. They are talking to our people. There are parties who want to negotiate. We simply have no idea who they are,” Trump said.