Iran open to holding talks with US over ceasefire, nuclear program: Report

WASHINGTON

Iran is open to negotiations with the US over a ceasefire with Israel as well as its nuclear program, according to a report published Wednesday.

A senior Iranian Foreign Ministry official told the New York Times that Tehran would accept US President Donald Trump's offer to meet soon. Trump told reporters early Tuesday that he would be open to sending either Vice President JD Vance or Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with Iran.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry official, who spoke to the Times on condition of anonymity, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would accept the meeting.

Araghchi said earlier Wednesday that aside from Israel, Iran remains committed to diplomacy.

“With the exception of the illegitimate, genocidal and occupying Israeli regime, we remain committed to diplomacy,” he wrote on X. “As before, we are serious and forward-looking in our outlook.”

Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 585 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to Iranian media reports.