U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have reportedly spoken several times since Israel began its air strikes on Iran last week.

Three diplomats told Reuters the two are trying to find a diplomatic end to the reciprocating air strikes between the Middle East countries, amid the United States' failing effort to get Iran to stop enriching uranium to create a nuclear weapon. 

According to the unarmed diplomats, Araqchi said Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped the attacks, the wire service also reports.