Donald Trump made a surprising statement about potentially meeting one of America’s most prominent adversaries. The U.S. President discussed the possibility of a face-to-face meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader amid ongoing war negotiations.
Donald Trump talks about meeting Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
President Donald Trump said Thursday he would be “honored” to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, CNBC reported. Trump stated he would meet the Iranian leader if a deal ended the U.S.-Iran war. The conflict has now dragged on into its fourth month.
Trump made the remarks while taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office. He had just finished making an announcement about coal. “If we make a deal, it’s possible that I would meet,” he said. “I’d be okay with that.”
Khamenei became the supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died on the first day of fighting. U.S.-Israeli strikes killed his father along with other members of his family. Trump nonetheless expects the new supreme leader to be a “professional.” “In some circles, he has a very good reputation, actually,” Trump added.
Mixed messages have recently emerged from negotiations to end the war. The conflict has upset global markets and caused oil and gasoline prices to spike. Iran has largely held the Strait of Hormuz shut since the war began. The strait carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supply. Gas prices averaged roughly $4.24 per gallon nationwide on Thursday, according to AAA.
The conflict has remained in a tenuous ceasefire for several weeks now. The U.S. demands that Iran agree to never acquire a nuclear weapon. Washington also wants Iran to immediately open the Strait. The Iranians demand an immediate end to hostilities on multiple fronts. They also want the U.S. to end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iranian state media said Monday that Iran’s negotiators would halt negotiations and shut the Strait. Then, on Wednesday, Trump claimed Iran had agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
