US-Iran diplomatic channels remain the primary conduit for negotiations following the February 2026 conflict and subsequent April ceasefire, with President Trump publicly expressing openness in early June to a direct engagement with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei contingent on progress toward a deal reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials, including foreign ministry representatives and advisers close to Khamenei, have repeatedly characterized any such personal meeting or call as unrealistic, favoring established governmental mechanisms amid ongoing asset disputes and verification issues. Mojtaba Khamenei has maintained a low public profile since succeeding his father, with communications routed through intermediaries like parliamentary figures. Trader consensus on limited near-term prospects for direct verbal contact by year-end reflects these procedural and political constraints, though scheduled diplomatic milestones could still influence outcomes.