Iran’s Leader Absent in US Negotiations
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s prominent leader, was reportedly absent from what could have been key negotiations with the U.S. last week in Turkey. During this time, U.S. troops targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities.
President Donald Trump was in touch with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussing high-level talks involving officials from Istanbul. He mentioned the possibility of sending Vice President JD Vance and White House envoy Steve Witkoff for these discussions. Trump even offered to personally visit Turkey if it could help facilitate a diplomatic resolution regarding the tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the nuclear deal. Sources indicate that this information was relayed by several U.S. officials.
Before his conversation with Erdogan, Trump claimed to receive a “signal” from an Iranian back channel, hinting at some form of communication.
Israel Plans to Recover More Hostages
In a parallel development, Israel is working to recover more hostages from Hamas, emphasizing that “there will be no victory until the last hostage returns.”
Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan updated Trump’s team about efforts to contact Khamenei for final approval of the negotiations. However, they faced challenges in reaching him, as officials conveyed that Khamenei was unreachable and unable to approve the meeting. Subsequently, Turkey informed the U.S. that the proposed discussions were canceled.
Trump Declares Successful Attacks on Iran
Meanwhile, according to reports, Khamenei has retreated to a bunker, cutting off electronic communication to protect himself from potential threats. He has been issuing orders through trusted aides, limiting his exposure.
In a recent speech, Trump labeled the recent military actions as “a very successful attack” on Iran’s nuclear program after U.S. forces struck three important sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump had previously hinted at knowing Khamenei’s location, asserting, “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Super Leader’ is hiding.” He stressed the intention to avoid civilian casualties while warning that U.S. patience was running thin.
Interestingly, Khamenei, who typically maintains an active social media presence, has refrained from making public statements even ahead of these actions.
Lisa Daftari, an Iranian expert, expressed skepticism about Iran’s commitment to genuine diplomacy, pointing out the regime’s long-standing hostility towards the U.S. and Israel. She remarked that diplomacy with such a regime is often insincere, stating, “Murler never took compromise or peace seriously.” Daftari appreciated Trump’s cautious military response as a necessary message against Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities.
