Iranian security official Ali Larijani firmly rejected reports that Tehran is seeking to resume backchannel negotiations with the United States in the wake of Ali Khamenei's death and recent US-Israeli strikes.
State media outlet IRNA reports that Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic, explicitly denied rumors of backchannel diplomacy, stating on the X platform: "We will not negotiate with America." This rejection of renewed diplomatic outreach was echoed across pro-government channels like Hami-e Pezeshkian and Iran-aligned regional proxy networks such as the Islamic Resistance Ansarollah Yemen.
The categorical denial comes in direct response to a Wall Street Journal report—widely cited by Al Jazeera—claiming that Larijani had presented plans to Omani mediators to restart talks with Washington. According to Vahid Online, a highly followed independent news aggregator, these diplomatic rumors circulated in the immediate aftermath of the "sudden attacks by Israel and America on the Islamic Republic and the killing of Ali Khamenei."
Despite Larijani's firm public denial, Vahid Online notes that prior to Khamenei's death, an Iranian diplomatic delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held three rounds of "indirect" negotiations in Oman. These talks reportedly involved Steve Witkoff, the US President's Special Envoy, and Jared Kushner, an advisor to Donald Trump. A fourth round was scheduled for this week but was canceled due to the recent military strikes. According to the channel, Araghchi stated on Sunday evening that talks could resume if the US and Israeli strikes halt, noting that American officials "know how to contact him."
Adding to the diplomatic speculation, Vahid Online also highlighted that US President Donald Trump recently told The Atlantic that "the Iranians are willing to talk" and that he had "agreed" to negotiate based on their requests.
Public sentiment in opposition and informal channels presents a stark contrast to the state's defiant posture. In the unmoderated chat group Khabar Fouri Gap, users mocked the government's alleged desperation. Sharing the WSJ claims that Larijani sought talks less than two days after Khamenei's death, commenters celebrated the regime's perceived weakness, stating the "Islamic Republic kneeled" and that authorities are now "falling to their hands and knees" because "this regime is overthrown."
State-aligned media strictly focuses on Larijani's denial to project strength, while independent sources like Vahid Online provide extensive context regarding earlier backchannel talks involving Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Opposition commentary channels heavily emphasize the regime's perceived vulnerability and desperation following the recent attacks and leadership decapitation.