Trump “open” to Iran talks as nuclear deal hopes rise

US President Donald Trump has indicated he would be willing to meet with Iran’s supreme leader or president as the two countries engage in discussions about Iran’s nuclear programme.

Following what a US official described as “very good progress” in framework talks for a potential nuclear deal last week, Trump expressed optimism in a Time magazine interview published on Friday.

“I think we’re going to make a deal with Iran,” Trump told Time in the April 22 interview. When asked about meeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian, Trump simply replied: “Sure.”

Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and world powers in 2018. He has warned that military action against Iran could follow if a new deal is not quickly reached to prevent nuclear weapons development.

Regarding potential US involvement should Israel take action against Iran, Trump stated: “I may go in very willingly if we can’t get a deal. If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be leading the pack.”

Since 2019, Iran has exceeded the uranium enrichment limits established in the 2015 agreement, producing stockpiles that Western nations say far surpass what would be necessary for civilian energy purposes.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​