As reported by *The Jerusalem Post* on Sunday, June 29, 2025, senior Iranian officials are awaiting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s approval to initiate discreet negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a source familiar with the internal discussions in Tehran.
Although Tehran continues to publicly reject the idea of dialogue with Washington, the source indicated that several top Iranian officials have privately shown interest in re-engaging in talks—particularly in the wake of the recent Iran-Israel conflict and the worsening impact of international sanctions.
Nonetheless, any official or unofficial engagement with the Trump administration remains entirely dependent on Khamenei’s consent.
“The decision ultimately rests with Khamenei,” the source stated. “Some within the leadership believe dialogue is essential to reduce tensions and address the economic crisis, but no action can be taken without his explicit approval.”
It remains unclear whether the Supreme Leader’s silence signals opposition to negotiations or stems from logistical difficulties in reaching him. Reports suggest Khamenei has been staying in a secure, undisclosed location—believed to be a fortified underground facility—since the war with Israel began earlier this month. This, the source noted, may be contributing to delays in critical decision-making.
Additional reporting by journalist Barak Ravid reveals that Khamenei personally blocked diplomatic outreach efforts between Iran’s Foreign Minister and officials close to the Trump administration during the height of the conflict.
Those proposed discussions reportedly involved Steve Witkoff, a trusted Trump ally, and Vice President J.D. Vance. According to Ravid, the collapse of these channels played a role in Trump’s decision to authorize strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Leave a Comment