Trump Urges Iran Leader to Negotiate on Nuclear Program

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, responded to the situation by telling AFP that the country would not engage in talks as long as the United States continues its “maximum pressure” campaign, but he did not directly address Trump’s letter.

Trump’s outreach signals a shift in tone from the hardline stance that marked his first term and could create tension with his close ally, Israel, which has carried out bombing strikes inside Iran. Speaking at the White House, Trump expressed hope for a peaceful resolution: "Hopefully we can have a peace deal... we're at the final moments on the Iranian nuclear program." However, he also stated, "I'd rather see a peace deal than the other, but the other will solve the problem."

Trump discussed the letter in an interview with Fox Business, revealing that he had told Khamenei, "I hope you're going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing for them." It remains unclear how the letter was sent, as Iran’s mission to the United Nations reported they had not received it.

In 2015, former President Barack Obama negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which offered sanctions relief in exchange for Iran limiting its nuclear program. Trump, however, withdrew from the deal in 2018, despite objections from European allies, and imposed sweeping sanctions on countries doing business with Iran.

Although Iran initially adhered to the deal, it later began to scale back its commitments. US officials now estimate that Iran could build a nuclear bomb within weeks if it chooses to do so.

Since returning to office, Trump has reluctantly reinstated his "maximum pressure" policy, although he has sidelined officials associated with his earlier hardline stance. Trump has also expressed a desire to break free from what he calls a "war-mongering" foreign policy establishment. Reports suggest that Trump’s confidant, billionaire Elon Musk, met with Iran’s ambassador to the UN after the election to signal a desire for diplomacy.

Iran’s Response
Iran remains cautious about engaging in talks under current conditions. "We will not enter any direct negotiations with the US as long as they continue their maximum pressure policy and their threats," said Foreign Minister Araghchi. He also noted that Iran’s nuclear program is now a technology embedded in its people, making it resistant to military strikes.

Araghchi, a key negotiator of the 2015 deal, emphasized that the nuclear program "cannot be destroyed through military operations," as the knowledge is ingrained in Iranian minds.

Escalating Tensions
Iran faces external challenges, particularly from Israel, which has carried out airstrikes against Iranian military sites and targeted groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, also faced setbacks after his forces were driven from significant territories by Sunni Islamist groups.

Diplomacy vs. Military Action
While former President Joe Biden supported returning to the 2015 agreement, talks stalled due to disagreements over sanctions relief. The National Iranian American Council urged Trump to remain personally engaged to demonstrate his commitment to diplomacy. Jamal Abdi, the council's president, warned that the window for negotiations might close, leading to an increased risk of war.

However, Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, cautioned that Iran might use Trump's offer to delay action while advancing its nuclear ambitions. He suggested that Tehran could use the diplomatic overtures to undermine US and Israeli military threats.