US and Iran officials reportedly resume direct contact for first time since conflict began

WASHINGTON: Senior officials from the United States and Iran have reportedly reestablished direct communication for the first time since the outbreak of the recent conflict, according to US media reports.

Axios, citing a US official and a source familiar with the matter, reported that Steve Witkoff, the special envoy appointed by US President Donald Trump, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have exchanged messages in recent days. Both Witkoff and Araghchi previously played key roles in negotiations between Washington and Tehran before the joint attack by Israel and the United States on Iran.

The Axios report noted that it remains unclear how substantive the recent communications have been. However, the exchange marks the first known direct contact between the two sides since the onset of hostilities.

According to the US official and the source cited by Axios, Foreign Minister Araghchi initiated contact by sending text messages to Witkoff, with the primary focus on efforts to end the ongoing war. In contrast, Drop Site News reported on Monday that Witkoff had sent messages to Araghchi, quoting Iranian officials who claimed that the foreign minister was not responding to the White House envoy’s outreach.

The US official told Axios that it was Araghchi who was attempting to engage, but stated that the United States "is not talking" to Iran. Neither side has provided further details regarding the content or outcome of these communications.

This development comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflict in the region, with both sides previously involved in direct negotiations before the escalation of hostilities.