US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would be willing to meet Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, if ongoing efforts between Washington and Tehran result in a peace agreement.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had not sought such a meeting but would consider it if both sides reached a deal. He added that he would be “honoured” to meet the Iranian leader under those circumstances.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, during the early stages of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28. Since then, tensions have remained high despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 8.
When asked whether a potential meeting would take place in the United States, Trump said he had not heard detailed discussions on the matter. However, he acknowledged that some people had suggested the possibility.
Meanwhile, Trump issued a warning regarding the safety of US troops in the region. He stated that if Iran were responsible for the killing of American service members, he would consider military action in response.
The US president also said Washington does not require a new agreement with Iran to gain access to the country’s enriched uranium. According to Trump, the material could be obtained if necessary, although he argued there was currently no reason to do so.
The conflict has continued to influence regional security. Iran responded to military pressure by asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz and launching missile and drone attacks against US-allied Gulf states. Although large-scale fighting has largely subsided, occasional exchanges have continued in areas including the Strait of Hormuz, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the two sides have yet to secure a long-term peace agreement. While Washington and Israel accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, Tehran continues to reject those claims and maintains that its nuclear programme serves civilian purposes only.
