Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging him to engage in new negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump warned that if Iran refuses to return to the negotiating table, military action could be an option. Without providing further details, he stated that the nuclear discussions with Iran are in their “final moments” but emphasized that he prefers a diplomatic resolution over military conflict.
"I hope we can reach a peace agreement. We are in the final moments regarding Iran’s nuclear program. I would rather see a peace deal than the alternative," Trump said, hinting at possible military action without directly mentioning it.
This marks the first time President Trump has explicitly called for negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program during his current presidential term. Previously, he had committed to maintaining the “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran, similar to his first term.
The White House has not disclosed when or how Trump sent the letter to Khamenei. Iran’s diplomatic mission at the United Nations in New York claimed it was unaware of any such letter.
So far, Iran has not officially commented on the reported letter. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that as long as Washington continues its maximum pressure campaign, Tehran will not engage in nuclear negotiations.
Speaking at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Araghchi warned that Iran’s nuclear program could not be eliminated through military action.
“This is a technology we have achieved. Technology exists in our minds and cannot be bombed,” he said.
Araghchi had previously stated in early February that lifting economic sanctions would require negotiations but insisted that such talks could not take place under maximum pressure. He argued that negotiations under such circumstances would amount to "surrender" rather than dialogue.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has instructed the Iranian government to avoid negotiations with the U.S., stating that doing so would be reckless. He has also asserted that talks with Washington will not solve Tehran’s problems.
Although U.S. officials claim that Iran could develop nuclear weapons within weeks if it chooses to, Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes.
Khamenei, who has the final say on Iran’s foreign policy, has reiterated that the United States cannot be trusted.
