New Delhi: Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly agreed to negotiate with the United States, raising the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough during the ongoing conflict involving Washington and Iran.
Reports citing regional media suggested that Tehran may be open to discussions aimed at reaching an agreement with Washington. The development comes as US President Donald Trump said recent talks between the two sides had produced what he described as “major points of agreement”, indicating that negotiations may be gaining momentum.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said discussions had taken place over the weekend and were expected to continue, raising hopes that a resolution to the conflict could emerge soon. He noted that his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and his son in law and senior adviser Jared Kushner were involved in the discussions with Iranian representatives.
However, a source quoted by Fars News Agency denied that any direct or indirect communication had taken place with the United States, presenting a conflicting account of the situation and adding uncertainty over the status of the talks.
Trump indicated that the negotiations, which he said had been ongoing for some time, had now entered a more serious phase. He suggested that progress could be made within days and that a deal beneficial to both sides was possible. According to Trump, Washington had given the process a five day window to determine whether an agreement could be reached.
The US president also signalled a shift in military strategy by postponing previously threatened strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure. The move followed warnings from Tehran that it would target Israeli power plants and facilities supplying US bases across the Gulf region if Iranian power networks were attacked.
Tensions have intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass. The disruption of traffic through the strait has already unsettled global markets and raised concerns over fuel prices and supply chains.
The conflict, which began on February 28 with military action involving the United States and Israel, has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths and triggered widespread economic uncertainty, particularly across energy markets dependent on Gulf exports.
