WASHINGTON:
US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Iran, revealing that he recently sent a letter to Iranian leaders proposing talks. The move comes amid Western concerns that Iran is advancing rapidly toward the capability to produce atomic weapons.
In an interview with Fox Business Network aired on Friday, Trump stated, “I said I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran.” He added, “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 [emerge].”
However, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York confirmed on Friday that the letter had not yet been received. Iran’s foreign ministry, which was closed for the weekend, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Nour News, a media outlet linked to Iran’s top security body, dismissed Trump’s letter as a “repetitive show” by the US government.
When asked if the letter was addressed to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader known for his staunch anti-Western stance, Trump replied, “Yes.” He outlined two potential approaches to dealing with Iran: “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.”
The interview, conducted on Thursday, indicated that the letter was sent on Wednesday. Western officials have long feared that a nuclear-armed Iran could pose a threat to Israel, Gulf Arab oil producers, and potentially trigger a regional arms race. Iran, however, has consistently denied any intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
**Russia’s Mediation Offer**
Since taking office in January, Trump has significantly altered US foreign policy, adopting a more conciliatory approach toward Russia. This shift has raised concerns among Western allies as he seeks to mediate an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year.
In 2018, Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, a multinational agreement aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This decision came just a year into his first term. Last month, Trump reinstated his “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, which includes efforts to reduce the country’s oil exports to zero.
The situation remains tense as the international community watches for Iran’s response to Trump’s latest overture and the potential implications for regional and global security.
