According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, citing a senior Israeli official, Steve Witkoff—special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump—is actively working to find a diplomatic solution between Washington and Tehran and prevent an immediate military escalation.
Kabul 24: The report alleges that Witkoff, in an effort to persuade Trump to postpone a potential strike on Iran, forwarded two key items to the White House: a WhatsApp message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a written assurance from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The unnamed Israeli source claims these communications contain commitments from Iranian officials aimed at de-escalating tensions or addressing certain U.S. demands, with the primary goal of averting direct American military involvement at this stage.
Witkoff, reportedly opposed to an immediate attack, presented these messages as part of a broader push to keep diplomacy alive.However, the story has not been officially confirmed by Iranian or U.S. authorities and appears to stem from Israeli media amid heightened regional tensions.
Israel Hayom has recently highlighted internal disagreements among American and Israeli officials regarding approaches to Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities.
As tensions between Iran and Israel remain elevated—with reports of military readiness on both sides—behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the United States out of direct conflict underscore the complexity of the current situation. Some analysts suggest such messages may be part of indirect negotiating tactics to buy time or create conditions for future talks.
The report comes against the backdrop of ongoing internal unrest in Iran and international pressure on Tehran. While details remain unverified, the claims reflect apparent divisions over whether diplomacy or military pressure should take precedence in dealing with the Iranian government.
