US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, expressing his preference for negotiating a new agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program.
Speaking to Fox Business Network, Trump stated, “I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran.”
However, Iran’s state-run news agency reported on Trump’s remarks without confirming whether Khamenei had received the letter. The Iranian Mission to the United Nations also stated that they had not seen any such communication from the US president.
Significance of Trump's Offer
Trump’s outreach signals a possible shift in US-Iran relations, blending diplomatic overtures with ongoing economic sanctions. While he withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, he has since expressed interest in negotiating a new agreement to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran, however, maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Iran’s Mixed Response
Iran’s stance on negotiations has fluctuated. Khamenei initially showed openness but later rejected talks with Washington, stating in February: “If they threaten us, we will threaten them in return. If they act on their threats, we will act on ours.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has previously supported diplomacy with the US but later aligned with Khamenei’s position. “My belief was that talks are better, but the Supreme Leader has said we do not negotiate with the US, and we will follow his directives,” he said.
Additionally, Iranian Vice President Mohammed Javad Zarif resigned from Pezeshkian’s cabinet under pressure from conservative factions, citing intense criticism and personal threats.
Russia’s Role in US-Iran Relations
As Trump works to improve ties with Moscow and seek a resolution to the Ukraine war, he appears interested in leveraging Russia’s influence to facilitate discussions with Iran. Russia and Iran recently signed a 20-year strategic partnership, but they have also disagreed on issues such as Syria, arms sales, and US negotiations.
Bloomberg reported that Moscow has agreed to assist Trump in engaging with Iran on nuclear talks. Discussions between US and Russian officials regarding Iran were reportedly held during a Saudi Arabian summit last month.
Past US Presidential Outreach to Iran
Former US presidents have also attempted direct communication with Iran. Barack Obama sent multiple letters to Khamenei between 2009 and 2014, addressing nuclear concerns and regional cooperation. More recently, Joe Biden sent a private message regarding Iran-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Global Reactions
Trump has insisted that a deal is preferable to military action, stating: “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal. I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people.”
Afshin Molavi, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute, emphasized that Khamenei remains deeply suspicious of the U.S. and sees Washington as untrustworthy. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed Moscow’s willingness to facilitate talks, stating that the US and Iran should negotiate, and Russia is prepared to assist in the process.
With Iran yet to officially confirm receipt of Trump’s letter, the international community closely watches whether this outreach will lead to renewed diplomatic efforts or escalate tensions further.
