Iran seeks to negotiate with the US amid escalating conflict with Israel

In the ongoing conflict involving Iran and Israel, the situation has escalated over recent weeks, particularly following Israel's military actions that targeted key Iranian military leaders and facilities. On June 16, 2025, President Donald Trump reported at the G7 summit that Iran wishes to engage in discussions to de-escalate the ongoing hostilities, indicating that the Iranian leadership is expressing an urgent need to return to diplomatic negotiations regarding their nuclear program. This comes in the face of intensified exchanges of missiles and airstrikes that both countries have launched against one another. Notably, Trump emphasized that after a 60-day period given for negotiation, the lack of agreement led to intensified military actions from Israel, disrupting prospects for peace. Trump expressed that Iran's desire to talk should have materialized earlier, as the conflict has resulted in significant casualties and a widening divide among political factions within the United States, further complicating the situation. Amid ongoing military strikes, Iran has reportedly used Arab intermediaries to communicate its intention to negotiate with the U.S. and Israel, seeking to stabilize its regime by possibly conceding on its nuclear enrichment activities. This proposal, however, raises skepticism, especially from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserts that Iran is merely seeking a tactical advantage in order to resume its nuclear ambitions. As international observers look on with concern, the ongoing military actions and diplomatic negotiations in the region highlight a critical juncture in Middle Eastern politics. Calls for peace, led primarily by the U.S. and various Gulf nations, underscore the urgency of these negotiations to avoid further escalation which could involve the United States more directly, a notion that has been rejected by President Trump, who continues to advocate limited U.S. military involvement.