Operational officials from the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence have signaled readiness for talks with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) about the possibilities of ending the war, writes the "New York Times", quoted by Focus.
The proposal was made indirectly through the intelligence service of a third country. The information was confirmed by representatives of Middle Eastern countries and a Western country, who requested anonymity. The White House and the CIA have not yet officially commented on the information.
The newspaper writes that there is skepticism about whether Iran and the administration of President Donald Trump are actually ready for a compromise or an end to the conflict in the short term.
At the same time, Iran's permanent representative to the UN in Geneva said that negotiations with the United States are impossible at this stage. Trump also said that Tehran has expressed a desire for talks, but in his opinion it is already too late, since the American military operation against Iran will continue.
"New York Times" added that a day after the attacks began, Iranian intelligence officials had established indirect contact with the CIA with a proposal to discuss conditions for ending the conflict.
The proposal itself, made through a third-party intelligence service, also raises the question of whether there are any Iranian representatives who could conclude a ceasefire agreement, given that the government in Tehran is severely shaken and high-ranking figures in the regime are the target of Israeli strikes.
According to US administration officials, any possible agreement to stop the bombings should include a commitment by Tehran to give up or significantly limit its ballistic missiles and nuclear program, as well as its support for allied groups in the region such as "Hezbollah".
Trump cited the situation in Venezuela as an example after the capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro by the US in January. Under the threat of further pressure, Washington has managed to get Maduro's successor to give the United States control over Venezuelan oil exports without setting serious conditions for political reform.
"What we did in Venezuela, I think, is the ideal scenario for development. Leaders can be changed," Trump said in an interview with the media. If the Iranian government remains in power, the key question will be whether Trump can find a "more moderate" interlocutor within the Iranian government - someone who is influential enough to negotiate but is not too tied to the regime's ideology.
In the past, American presidents have already negotiated with more moderate representatives of the Iranian political system. In 2015, Barack Obama concluded an agreement with the then Iranian president that limited the country's nuclear program in exchange for easing economic sanctions.