Trump Team Proposes Iran Talks on Ceasefire, Nuclear Deal: Axios
The Trump administration is pushing for a meeting between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s FM Abbas Araghchi to discuss a ceasefire and nuclear deal, Axios reports. Trump sees it as a last-ditch effort to avoid war, using military leverage to push Tehran to negotiate.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Trump administration is pushing for a meeting this week between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss a potential ceasefire and nuclear agreement, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing four sources briefed on the matter.
According to Axios reporters Barak Ravid and Marc Caputo, the proposal is part of a last-ditch diplomatic effort by U.S. President Donald Trump to de-escalate the ongoing war between Israel and Iran and avoid American military involvement.
A U.S. official confirmed to Axios, “A meeting with the Iranians this week is under consideration,” though no final arrangements have yet been made. The initiative represents what Axios describes as a critical moment—possibly a make-or-break point—regarding whether the U.S. may eventually join the military campaign against Iran to eliminate its nuclear program.
A senior U.S. official told Axios that Trump views America’s possession of massive bunker-busting bombs, capable of destroying Iran’s deeply buried Fordow enrichment site, as critical leverage in pushing Tehran toward a deal. “He thinks in terms of deals and leverage. And this is leverage,” the official said, calling the decision on whether to deploy such weapons an “inflection point.”
“They [Iran] do want to talk,” the senior official added. “But what we don’t know is, have they been brought to their knees fully so that they realize that in order to have a country, they have to talk?”
While Trump has so far refrained from directly involving the U.S. military in Israel’s strikes on Iran, he has repeatedly emphasized that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon—by diplomatic or military means. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios noted, is pressing Washington to join the attacks and strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
The Axios report also details Trump’s recent warning on Truth Social calling for civilians in Tehran to evacuate immediately—an alarming statement that coincided with his decision to leave the G7 summit in Canada early. These moves, coupled with explosions reported in Tehran, sparked speculation in Israeli media and on social platforms that the U.S. had entered the war.
However, White House spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer denied the reports, stating on X, “American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed. We will defend American interests.”
This is not true. American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed. We will defend American interests. https://t.co/XqWbDvzif0
— Alex Pfeiffer (@Pfeiffer47) June 17, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the message in a Fox News interview, saying Trump “hopes there will be peace.”
Behind the scenes, the White House discussed the potential meeting with Iranian officials on Monday, Axios reported. Trump himself acknowledged the ongoing backchannel communication, saying at the G7, “We are talking on the phone but it is better to talk in person.”
Expressing confidence, Trump told reporters, “I think a deal will be signed. I think Iran is foolish not to sign one.” French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed that discussions about a ceasefire were underway at the summit, adding, “The Americans have made an offer to meet with the Iranians. We will see what happens.”
The proposed diplomatic track, if successful, could mark a dramatic pivot in the rapidly escalating crisis. As of now, no official meeting has been confirmed, but the Trump administration appears determined to test whether diplomacy can still prevail.
