March 16, 2026
As the Axios report spread, Araghchi took to X to deny the White House’s claims. “My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer’s decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran. Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public,” he wrote.
In a series of media appearances over the weekend, Araghchi publicly rejected Trump’s characterizations. “We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation,” he told CBS on Sunday. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes. And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”
One of the sources, a senior Iranian official who spoke with Drop Site on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss potential negotiations, said the U.S. outreach indicates that the Trump administration underestimated Iran’s resolve and is seeking an offramp.
Iran were talking with the US, and the US attacked them.
Why would they talk to the US now?
Are you trying to use LOGIC on Trump???
Yeah, sorry, you’re right. Silly me
's OK, it’s Friday…it’ll be Friday soon enough.
They should really piss off Trump and say that they have talked with Obama recently.
Or that they will only negotiate with Hillary.
That’s kinda genius ngl
lololol that’d be golden
No it wouldn’t. This comment thread is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.
the next iteration of trump would just tear up whatever obama negotiates with them like og trump did w the previous agreement
Witkoff is a real estate guy and also a moron. Unless Iran wants to sell property why would they talk to him?
This will drive Trump nuts. Being publically contradicted, being characterized as weak or seeking peace first, not being strong enough to force peace. Just being told “No.” The most damage the Iranians could do to the trump administration would be to go on X and all the cable news networks and characterize Trump as weak or stupid. And bring up the Epstein files.
If any Iranian is here, as an American I must say I’m sorry. Not once has our nation actually helped your life. We’ve only caused pain and destruction.
