BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. There is a line
of communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas
Araghchi and U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff, the Foreign
Ministry’s spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said today at a press
conference in Tehran, Trend reports.


According to him, this channel is used to convey necessary
messages between the two countries.


Baghaei stated that, in addition, the Swiss embassy, which
protects U.S. interests in Iran, is officially operating.


The Iranian official stated that, in general, Iran has never
left the negotiating table. In recent decades, Iran has always
adhered to the principle of diplomacy and negotiation. However,
these negotiations must lead to meaningful results and address the
concerns of all parties.


“Naturally, unilateral discussions dictated by specific goals
will not lead to results. I think that contradictory statements in
this regard will lead to uncertainty in strategies,” he noted.


On April 12, 19, and 26, and May 11 and 23, 2025, five rounds of
indirect talks between Iran and the US on Iran's nuclear program
took place. The indirect talks were organized through the mediation
of Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the
Sultanate of Oman, and were led by Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister
of Foreign Affairs of the Iranian delegation, and Steve Witkoff, US
Special Representative for the Middle East, from the American
delegation. The first, third, and fourth rounds of talks took place
in Muscat, the capital of Oman, and the second and fifth rounds in
Rome, the capital of Italy.


On the morning of June 13, 2025, Israel launched air strikes
against Iran. The strikes killed a large number of high-ranking
military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior
officials.


That same evening, Iran responded to Israel with Operation True
Promise III, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at
several targets, including Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian
casualties and widespread destruction.


On June 22, the U.S. launched military airstrikes on three
Iranian nuclear sites. The airstrikes reportedly destroyed the
Iranian nuclear facilities.


On the evening of June 23, Iran launched air strikes on a U.S.
military base in Qatar.


On June 24, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that
the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran,
brokered by US President Donald Trump.


Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement
announcing the cessation of attacks.