Washington, D.C.: US President Donald Trump has said he would be “honoured” to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei if ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran result in an agreement.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump indicated that while a meeting was not currently planned, he remained open to direct engagement with the Iranian leader as part of broader diplomatic efforts.
“I don’t want to meet, but if I did meet, I’d be honoured to meet him,” Trump said. “But if we make a deal, it’s possible that I would meet him. I’d be OK with that.”
Trump signals openness to diplomacy
Trump said any potential meeting with Khamenei would be conducted respectfully and described the Iranian leader as someone with a strong reputation in certain circles.
The US President remarked that public perceptions often differ depending on political viewpoints and suggested that leaders are frequently subject to criticism regardless of their actions.
His comments come amid continuing discussions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, which remains one of the most sensitive issues in relations between the two countries.
Observers view the remarks as an indication that the Trump administration remains willing to pursue diplomatic channels alongside its broader strategic objectives in the region.
Nuclear programme remains central issue
The future of Iran’s nuclear activities continues to dominate discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump reiterated his position that the United States possesses the capability to take control of Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium if it chose to do so, though he stressed that such action was not currently necessary.
According to Trump, Iran’s enriched uranium is under close observation and remains contained.
The President also claimed that US authorities are monitoring the material and have sufficient oversight regarding its status.
Balancing diplomacy and pressure
Political analysts noted that Trump’s remarks reflect a dual-track approach that combines diplomatic engagement with continued pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme.
While expressing willingness to meet Iran’s leadership, he simultaneously emphasised American leverage and monitoring capabilities regarding Tehran’s nuclear assets.
The comments highlight the administration’s effort to keep diplomatic options open while maintaining a firm stance on issues related to nuclear security and regional stability.
Prospects for future engagement
Any direct meeting between the US President and Iran’s Supreme Leader would represent a significant diplomatic development given the long history of strained relations between the two countries.
Although no formal plans have been announced, Trump’s remarks suggest that a high-level meeting could be considered if ongoing negotiations produce a breakthrough agreement.
Diplomatic observers believe such a meeting would likely depend on progress in talks related to Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional issues.
For now, both countries remain engaged in efforts aimed at addressing longstanding concerns, with the possibility of direct leadership-level engagement remaining open.