Trump open to meeting Iran's Supreme Leader if peace deal reached

President Donald Trump has expressed openness to meeting Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, but only if a peace agreement between the two nations is achieved. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated, "I do not wish to meet him. But if I were to meet him, I would be honored. I would like to see if we can make a deal, and if we do, then it is possible that I would meet him. That would be OK with me."

Trump acknowledged that he is likely not the Supreme Leader's preferred individual but suggested he is a "professional" who holds a "very good reputation in certain circles." When questioned about the possibility of such a meeting occurring in the United States, Trump indicated he had not heard of such a suggestion, though he noted that others had proposed it.

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I do not wish to meet him. But if I were to meet him, I would be honored. I would like to see if we can make a deal, and if we do, then it is possible that I would meet him. That would be OK with me.

This development follows comments made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio stated that he believes the Iranian leader is alive and becoming more involved in ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations. "I think there are indications that he is becoming more involved at some level, even though all his communications have been in writing and through third parties," Rubio told senators during a hearing.

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I think there are indications that he is becoming more involved at some level, even though all his communications have been in writing and through third parties.