Intelligence agents from Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence have reportedly reached out to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency expressing interest in peace negotiations, according to a Wednesday report from the New York Times citing government sources familiar with the communications.
According to the Times, the diplomatic overture came through intelligence services of a third country that was not identified. The report cited anonymous Middle Eastern and Western officials who provided the information.
Neither the White House nor the CIA provided immediate responses when asked for comment on the reported contact.
Washington officials remain doubtful about whether Iran or the Trump administration is genuinely prepared for what sources called an “off-ramp” from current hostilities, at least in the immediate future, according to the Times report.
The reported diplomatic feelers come as Iran’s United Nations ambassador in Geneva rejected any immediate negotiations with the United States on Tuesday, just days following coordinated military strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces against Iranian targets.
President Donald Trump stated Tuesday that while Tehran expressed interest in dialogue, the window for talks had closed as American military operations against Iran continue.
