President Donald Trump said Thursday he would be "honored" to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei if a deal is reached to end the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, now in its fourth month. The conflict has seen fluctuating negotiations, with Iran declaring victory over the U.S. and Israel while Trump suggested progress on nuclear disarmament.
Core Developments
- Trump’s Meeting Offer: Trump stated he would meet Khamenei if a deal is reached, calling him a "professional" despite past U.S.-Israeli strikes killing Khamenei’s father and family members. He noted Khamenei has a "very good reputation" in some circles.
- Iran’s Victory Claim: Khamenei issued a statement declaring Iran had "defeated" the U.S. and Israel, accusing them of hybrid warfare tactics. The statement was disseminated by Iranian state media, though Khamenei has not appeared publicly since being injured early in the war.
Negotiation Tensions
The U.S. demands Iran abandon nuclear weapons and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil channel shut since the war began. Iran insists on an immediate end to hostilities and the lifting of U.S. naval blockades. Gas prices in the U.S. averaged $4.24 per gallon on Thursday, per AAA, amid market disruptions.
Shifting Rhetoric
Iranian state media reported negotiators would halt talks and shut the strait on Monday, but Trump claimed Wednesday that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons. The war has been in a fragile ceasefire for weeks, with mixed signals from both sides.
Background Context
Khamenei became supreme leader after his father’s death on the war’s first day. Trump’s remarks followed an Oval Office announcement on coal, where he took reporter questions. The conflict has strained global markets and raised geopolitical tensions.