Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, held talks on the evening of August 20 with Swiss Assistant State Secretary, Gabriel Lochinger, allegedly to discuss stalled nuclear negotiations, ISNA reported.

A sixth round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks had been scheduled for mid-June, but was derailed after Israel launched a military offensive that escalated into a 12-day war. The United States subsequently joined the hostilities, targeting three of Iran’s nuclear facilities before brokering a ceasefire on June 24. Talks have remained frozen since, with Tehran demanding guarantees against further aggression. Despite the US striking Iran, Tehran did not immediately rule out future talks with conditions. 

According to a statement shared via Larijani’s Telegram channel, the Swiss delegation agreed to relay the outcome of its consultations with other involved parties back to Tehran.

However, Lebanon-based broadcaster Hezbollah-aligned Al-Mayadeen television, which maintains close ties with the Islamic Republic, cited Western diplomatic sources claiming Lochinger was carrying a message from Steve Witkoff, the US envoy for Middle East affairs.

The alleged message reportedly conveyed Washington’s willingness to resume negotiations with Iran, accompanied by assurances that no military action would be taken during the talks.

The report was swiftly denied by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, who quoted a US official on social media platform X as saying the claim was “false” and that Witkoff had not sent any communication to Tehran.

In a recent interview with state news agency IRNA, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the “negotiation maturity” conditions had not yet been met.

He criticised Washington’s approach, accusing the US of seeking to extract concessions at the negotiating table that it failed to secure through military means.

The most contentious issue remains Washington’s insistence on “zero enrichment” of uranium, a demand repeatedly rejected by Iranian officials.

Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran’s stance, echoing comments by his deputy Majid Takht Ravanchi, who stated that while Iran could show flexibility on enrichment levels and limitations, it would not accept a complete halt under any circumstances.