President Donald Trump attempted to initiate diplomatic talks with Iranian leadership to address the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and potential nuclear negotiations. U.S. officials, working in coordination with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sought to secure a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Despite initial indications of willingness from Iranian back channels, the absence of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, led to the cancellation of the proposed talks.
Khamenei, who is believed to be sheltering in a bunker and has suspended all electronic communications with his commanders, has been absent from public view since before the U.S. military strikes. The Iranian leader’s silence on social media platforms, such as X, further emphasized the breakdown in communication. President Trump, in a Saturday night speech, announced that U.S. forces had conducted precision strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. These strikes were described as a decisive action to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program, reflecting the broader strategic tensions in the region.
Experts like Lisa Daftari have commented on the lack of genuine diplomatic effort from Iran, noting that the regime’s ideology is fundamentally opposed to peace with the U.S. and Israel. Daftari emphasized that Trump’s efforts to pursue diplomacy through back channels were well-intentioned but ultimately futile due to the regime’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. The U.S. military’s actions have been framed as a necessary response to Iran’s perceived threat, signaling a shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing reports of military engagements and diplomatic stalemates shaping the future of international relations in the region.