4 mediators and constructive discussions: behind the scenes of the US-Iran talks
Israeli and Western reports have revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the discussions preceding the “de-escalation statement” issued by US President Donald Trump on Monday morning.
This followed a post by President Donald Trump on his platform “Truth Social,” in which he stated that the United States and Iran had held discussions over the past two days, which he described as “good and extremely productive,” aimed at reaching a full and comprehensive resolution to hostilities in the Middle East.
Later, he told Fox Business that Iran was eager to reach an agreement, and that this could happen within five days or less.
Trump said, in a phone interview, that the latest talks had taken place on Sunday evening between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials.
Israel’s position
Meanwhile, the newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” quoted Israeli officials as saying that Tel Aviv “was not surprised by President Donald Trump’s announcement of good and productive talks with Iran, nor by his decision to suspend for five days strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure.”
The Israeli officials explained that “intense contacts are taking place behind the scenes between Washington and Tehran, directly and through mediation by Qatar and Turkey, with the aim of reaching an agreement.”
According to these officials, a potential framework under discussion foresees Iran allowing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in an initial phase, while the United States would refrain from attacking Iranian energy plants.
The parties would then seek a broader ceasefire in a second phase, according to the officials.
Israel had supported the option of a large-scale strike on Iranian energy infrastructure, despite expectations that Iran would retaliate by targeting similar sites in Israel.
Nevertheless, an Israeli diplomatic official said that Tel Aviv is expected to comply with Trump’s decisions.
Officials emphasized that Trump had not canceled the military option but had temporarily suspended it to allow time for negotiations, with the main objective being to ensure the reopening of the strategic waterway (Hormuz) and create conditions to end the war.
How did the talks take place?
According to the Israeli newspaper, “Contacts were conducted through multiple channels, including discussions between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, alongside mediation efforts led primarily by Qatar with support from Turkey.”
However, a correspondent for the American site Axios reported via X that “Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan transmitted messages between the United States and Iran over the past two days in an attempt to de-escalate tensions.”
He added: “Senior officials from Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan held separate talks with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.”
To date, none of the countries mentioned in the mediation have issued any official comment either confirming or denying this.
