10
Loading video...
By Tom O'Connor, Amir Daftari, and Barney Henderson
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump has said he sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday, stating his preference was to negotiate a deal over Tehran's nuclear program.
"I said I hope you're going to negotiate, because it's going to be a lot better for Iran," Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Trump's comments, citing the broadcast, but there was no immediate word from Khamenei. The Iranian Mission to the United Nations said it had not seen any letter from the U.S. leader.
Read More on World
"We have not received such a letter so far," the Iranian Mission told Newsweek.
In comments to reporters in the Oval Office later on Friday, Trump did not mention the letter directly but made a veiled reference, saying, "We have a situation with Iran that, something's going to happen very soon. Very, very soon."
"Hopefully we can have a peace deal," Trump continued. "I'm not speaking out of strength or weakness. I'm just saying I'd rather see a peace deal then the other. But the other will solve the problem."
Newsweek has contacted the State Department for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump's outreach signifies a potential shift in U.S.-Iran relations, blending diplomatic overtures with economic sanctions.
...
Meanwhile, the Iranian supreme leader's stance on negotiations has fluctuated, initially showing openness but later dismissing talks with Washington as neither "smart, wise, nor honorable."
What to Know
In his interview with Fox News, Trump expressed his hope for negotiations, stating, "I think they want to get that letter. The other alternative is we have to do something, because you can't let another nuclear weapon."
Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, a year into his first term, dismantling the multinational agreement designed to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. In February, he stated his desire to negotiate a new deal aimed at stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iran has always said its nuclear program has only peaceful purposes.
Iran's Response to Negotiation Offers
Since Trump's return to office, Iran's position has varied. Khamenei initially left room for potential discussions but later rejected them in February, stating: "If they threaten us, we will threaten them in return. If they act on their threats, we will act on ours."
President Masoud Pezeshkian had explicitly supported a renewal of diplomacy with the U.S., though he has since reaffirmed his commitment to Khamenei's directives. "My belief was that talks are better, but the Supreme Leader has said we do not negotiate with the U.S and we will go forward in the direction of the statements of our top leader," Pezeshkian said on Sunday.
The statement signaled the divide between Iran's two major camps of principalists and reformists, with the former maintaining primacy despite Pezeshkian's calls for recalibrating the Islamic Republic's policies in the midst of a dire economic situation.
The following day, Iranian Vice President Mohammed Javad Zarif, who served a key role as top diplomat in negotiating the nuclear deal under former President Hassan Rouhani, resigned from Pezeshkian's cabinet in line with what he said was a recommendation from conservative Chief Justice Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi Gholam Hossein Mohseni "to prevent further pressure on the government."
In a lengthy X post, Zarif said Monday that he had "faced the most horrible insults, slander and threats against myself and my family, and I have gone through the most bitter period of my 40 years of service," since accepting the position in Pezeshkian's administration last July.
Russia's Involvement in U.S.-Iran Relations
As the White House looks to improve ties with the Kremlin and reach a settlement in the three-year war in Ukraine, Trump has signaled a desire to leverage Russia's influence for achieving a breakthrough on diplomacy with Iran as well.
Moscow and Tehran signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty in January and the two sides have deepened cooperation in various fields in recent years. But divisions have also emerged on issues such a Syria, arms sales and talks with the U.S., for which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov appeared to advocate during his latest trip to Iran last month.
On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Russia has agreed to assist Trump in engaging with Iran over its nuclear program. Trump expressed interest in working with Iran on nuclear issues and Tehran's support for anti-U.S. proxies in the Middle East during his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, the report stated. U.S. and Russian officials were also said to have discussed potential communication with Iran during a summit in Saudi Arabia last month.
...
Obama's Letters to Khamenei
Former President Barack Obama engaged in direct correspondence with Khamenei during his tenure. Obama sent at least four letters between 2009 and 2014, addressing issues such as Iran's nuclear program and regional stability. The first letter called for improved relations. Subsequent letters touched on cooperation against the Islamic State and potential diplomatic engagements. In January last year, Joe Biden sent a rare private message to Iran about Iran-backed Houthis attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump was interviewed by Fox News Channel's Sunday Morning Futures, which airs in full this Sunday. In a clip, he said:"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, Senior Fellow Foreign Policy Institute told Newsweek: "Supreme Leader Khamenei, does not hide his suspicions of the United States and he does not hide his view that they are not trustworthy, and he is the ultimate decision-maker."
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The U.S. and Iran should negotiate and that Moscow is ready to do everything in its power to achieve this."
What Happens Next
While Iran has yet to provide any confirmation of the letter, the international community awaits how the latest news may affect the precarious trajectory of U.S.-Iran relations. The degree to which Trump commits to his "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign may also influence Tehran's decision-making process regarding potential negotiations.
Update: 3/7/25, 1:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional remarks from President Trump.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines