US-Iran indirect talks via envoys continue amid the ongoing conflict, with President Trump stating after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that negotiations must proceed to determine if a deal on nuclear limits, ballistic missiles, and the Strait of Hormuz can be reached. Trump has previously signaled conditional openness to direct contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei—described as alive but seriously wounded and rarely visible—if an agreement framework emerges, while rejecting recent Iranian proposals and emphasizing no nuclear weapons. Iranian officials, including the president, note communication with Mojtaba remains difficult, and statements from Tehran have criticized past US commitments. Trader consensus reflects the low likelihood of a verified direct conversation before year-end given reliance on intermediaries, health constraints, and unresolved core disputes.