The White House is exploring the possibility of a high-level meeting this week between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as part of an urgent diplomatic effort to curb hostilities and revive nuclear negotiations, four sources familiar with the matter told Axios.

The proposed meeting, not yet finalized, is seen as a pivotal opportunity to broker a dual-track solution: reining in Iran’s nuclear ambitions while pushing for a halt to the escalating conflict between Tehran and Israel. 

“A meeting with the Iranians this week is under consideration,” a U.S. official confirmed, framing the outreach as a last-ditch bid by Trump to steer the crisis back toward diplomacy.

At the center of the high-stakes calculus is Iran’s underground enrichment facility at Fordow, a site that Israeli officials have pressed the U.S. to target militarily. According to a senior U.S. official, Trump sees America’s stockpile of massive bunker-busting bombs, capable of striking such fortified sites, as key leverage.

“Trump thinks in terms of deals and leverage. And this is leverage,” the official said, calling the decision on bunker busters an “inflection point.”

While Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to engage, Washington remains uncertain whether Tehran has been sufficiently weakened to enter meaningful talks.

“They do want to talk,” the official said. “But what we don’t know is: have they been brought to their knees fully enough to realize that in order to have a country, they have to talk? And assuming they get there, is there any degree of enrichment you would allow them to have?”

Despite growing Israeli pressure, Trump has so far declined to commit U.S. forces to join Israel’s air campaign. However, he has been clear that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, by diplomacy or force.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been lobbying Trump to order strikes on Fordow, underscoring Israel’s view that military action is the only viable path. But Trump, according to aides, remains convinced a deal is still achievable, particularly given what U.S. officials describe as Iran’s deteriorating bargaining position.

In a surprise move late Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social urging Iranian civilians to evacuate Tehran immediately, a warning that rattled regional observers and fueled speculation about U.S. military involvement.

That same evening, Trump abruptly left the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington, citing the need to “closely monitor developments” in the Middle East. The sudden departure, coupled with reports of explosions in Tehran, sparked widespread rumors across Israeli media and social platforms that the U.S. had entered the war.

White House spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer moved quickly to dismiss the claims, posting on X that “American forces are maintaining their defensive posture, and that has not changed. We will defend American interests.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message in a Fox News interview, saying that  “President Trump hopes there will be peace,” and emphasizing that diplomacy remains the administration’s top priority.

According to sources, U.S. officials held preliminary discussions with their Iranian counterparts on Monday regarding a possible face-to-face meeting. Trump himself hinted at the talks during a brief statement at the G7, saying, “We are talking on the phone but it is better to talk in person.”

“I think a deal will be signed. I think Iran is foolish not to sign one,” he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron later confirmed that the Iran issue had dominated conversations at the summit.

“The Americans have made an offer to meet with the Iranians. We will see what happens,” he told reporters.