Ankara: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said on late Tuesday that talks between the US and Iran were "promising," stating that Washington is "hopeful" for a long-term peace deal. "We are already talking to each other, not just directly but also through interlocutors. I think that the conversations are promising. We are hopeful that we can have a long-term peace agreement that resurrects Iran," Witkoff told Fox News in an interview.

According to Anadolu Agency, Witkoff stressed the importance of sitting down with Iranian counterparts to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. He expressed confidence in the potential success of these discussions. Witkoff's remarks came as the US-proposed ceasefire took effect early Tuesday after 12 days of aerial combat between Israel and Iran that started on June 13.