Secret messages were exchanged between US President Barack Obama and Iran earlier this year, “reformist” Iranian website Saham News reported.

The organisation, which is close to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s government, said the messages were sent at the end of March and called for “joint cooperation for the sake of resolving the issues and the crises related to the Middle East.”

Obama pointed out in his message to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, that he wanted to seize the remaining opportunity before the end of his term in order to work jointly with Iran on the most important issues in the region. Stressing that very little time remains of his term as president and he hope for “joint cooperation in order to resolve the regional crises in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.”

In his message to Khamenei, Obama stressed that in case the Iranian response was positive Obama would personally participate in any conference held for this purpose and would also meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Saham News quoted what it described as another informed source as saying that “after the arrival of Obama’s two messages to Khamenei and Rouhani, through which he requested joint cooperation between Tehran and Washington in the region, he invited Khamenei and Rouhani to discuss the issues raised in Obama’s message.”

During the meeting that was held between the two Iranian leaders, Khamenei asked Rouhani for his opinion regarding Obama’s message and offer. The Iranian president said his assessment was “positive” adding that “it could be possible to resolve the regional crises referred to in Obama’s message during our meetings with them and that Iran’s influence and impact will be greatly enhanced in case such joint cooperation occurred at these levels.

Saham News added that Rouhani stressed that he would not take any action without first coordinating fully with Iran’s spiritual guide and that no cooperation would take place without Khamenei’s knowledge.

Analysts have warned that this is further proof of the “decline of Gulf-US relations”.