Report: Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar Work to Organize a Meeting Between Whitcomb and Iranian Officials in Ankara

SadaNews - A senior U.S. official told Axios that the Trump administration has communicated to Iran through multiple channels its openness to a meeting to negotiate an agreement.

This diplomatic effort comes amid Trump's orders for a massive military buildup in the Gulf, increasing the stakes of negotiations if they can avoid striking Iran and starting a broader regional war.

According to two regional sources, Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar are working to organize a meeting between White House envoy Steve Whitcomb and senior Iranian officials in Ankara later this week, as reported by regional sources to Axios.

A source from one of these countries said, "Things are going well. We are doing our best."

The three countries that collaborated with the Trump administration on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza hope that U.S.-Iranian negotiations will prevent the outbreak of a regional war.
White House officials added that Trump has not made a final decision on a military strike against Iran and remains open to a diplomatic solution.

U.S. officials confirmed, according to SadaNews translation, that President Trump's recent statements regarding negotiations are not just threats, but the United States does not know whether Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will empower his diplomats to reach an acceptable agreement.

Behind the scenes, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are conducting talks with both sides and coordinating their efforts, according to sources.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told CNN on Sunday that "friendly countries" are seeking to build trust between the United States and Iran, describing these efforts as "fruitful."

He added, "I see the possibility for another round of talks if the U.S. negotiating team commits to what President Trump said: to reach a fair and equitable agreement that ensures Iran does not possess nuclear weapons."

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran on Saturday and met with Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran and a close associate of Khamenei.

Shortly after the meeting, Larijani wrote on X that "the framework for negotiations is progressing."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke by phone on Saturday with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian and urged him to agree to hold a meeting with Trump officials.

The day before, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted his Iranian counterpart and discussed the potential location and agenda of a possible meeting with White House officials.

: "I hope they negotiate something acceptable... They can negotiate a satisfactory agreement, free from nuclear weapons, etc. They need to do that. I don’t know if they will. But they are talking to us. They are speaking to us seriously," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday evening.

In a speech delivered by Khamenei on Sunday in Tehran, he took a hardline stance, claiming that the U.S. wants to "swallow" Iran and seize its oil, gas, and minerals.

The Iranian Supreme Leader said: "Americans should know that if they ignite a war this time, it will be a regional war.”

He did not refer to the negotiations.

In related news, Israeli Chief of Staff, General Eyal Zamir, visited Washington on Friday and Saturday for talks with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Keen about the possibility of a U.S. strike against Iran.

U.S. and Israeli officials say that the visit, which did not receive extensive media coverage, aimed to exchange information on both sides regarding defensive and offensive plans in the event of a war with Iran.