Iran Agrees To End War? Mojtaba Khamenei Signals Willingness For Talks With US: Reports

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has indicated openness to negotiations with the United States, raising the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough amid the continuing conflict in West Asia. The development was reported by Arab News, citing Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

According to the Israeli outlet, discussions were referenced in a conversation between Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US intermediary Steve Witkoff. The report claimed the communication had approval from Iran's top leadership.

The claims surfaced as US President Donald Trump said the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's most important oil shipping routes - could soon reopen. Trump suggested a future arrangement where the waterway might be jointly overseen by Washington and Tehran. "It'll be jointly controlled. Me and the Ayatollah, whoever the Ayatollah is," Trump said while speaking about the route's future management.

However, Iranian officials have publicly rejected suggestions that formal negotiations are underway. A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry recently dismissed Trump's claims, saying Tehran has held no talks with Washington during the past 24 days of what it described as an unprovoked war involving the United States and Israel.

Despite Tehran's denial, Trump maintained that recent contacts between the two sides had produced what he called "major points of agreement". The US president also said he had instructed the US defence establishment to delay planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities for five days to allow space for diplomatic engagement.

The reported outreach comes as the confrontation between the United States, Israel and Iran enters its fourth week, raising concerns about broader geopolitical and economic consequences. Disruptions to infrastructure and shipping routes have intensified fears about global energy security.

Israeli media have also reported that Washington may be aiming to end the conflict by April 9. According to a government source cited in Israeli reports, the timeline could coincide with Trump's expected visit to Israel later in the month, where he is scheduled to receive the national Israel Prize.

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reported that mediating countries are attempting to arrange a meeting between US and Iranian representatives in Islamabad, potentially later this week.

Israel has reportedly not been fully briefed on these diplomatic contacts. At the same time, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has strongly denied involvement in any backchannel negotiations, calling Trump's claims "fake news" designed to influence financial markets.