President Donald Trump has revealed he is actively pursuing negotiations for a nuclear deal with Iran.
During an interview with Fox Business Network on Friday, Trump disclosed that he had written to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Thursday, urging Tehran to engage in discussions.
“I said I hope you’re going to negotiate because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran,” Trump said, cited by The New York Post. “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.”
The former and now 47th president emphasized that his preference is diplomacy over military action, but he made it clear that Iran has two choices.
“There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal,” he stated. “I would prefer to make a deal because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people.”
This latest move comes just weeks after Trump reaffirmed his commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a stance that has remained consistent since his first term in office.
Back in 2018, Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, a multinational agreement aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Since then, he has expressed interest in renegotiating a new deal on different terms.
The 78-year-old’s diplomatic push follows growing speculation that the US was working alongside Israel - one of Iran’s biggest adversaries - to coordinate military action against the regime.
However, Trump denied those claims in a Truth Social post, insisting that reports of a joint operation were exaggerated.
“I want Iran to be a great and successful country, but one that cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he wrote. “Reports that the United States, working in conjunction with Israel, is going to blow Iran into smithereens, ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED.
"I would much prefer a Verified Nuclear Peace Agreement, which will let Iran peacefully grow and prosper. We should start working on it immediately, and have a big Middle East Celebration when it is signed and completed. God Bless the Middle East!" he concluded.
Despite his diplomatic efforts, Trump has made it clear that any direct threats against him would result in severe consequences for Iran.
As previously reported, the two-time president has publicly vowed to obliterate the Middle Eastern nation if they attempt to assassinate him during his term.
“I’ve left instructions. If they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left, and they shouldn’t be able to do it,” Trump warned last month.
His threat follows reports that Iran has allegedly plotted revenge against him and officials from his first administration for ordering the assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Iranian operatives have also reportedly engaged in cyberattacks against individuals linked to Trump, allegedly attempting to disrupt his 2024 reelection campaign.