U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he sent a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, urging negotiations, but Iran’s UN mission quickly denied receiving it. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said, “I said I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran,” adding that Iran “cannot have nuclear weapons” and that “the other alternative” remains an option if needed.
Trump’s remarks, reported earlier today, emphasized his preference for a deal over confrontation, though he didn’t specify further. Iran’s UN representation told media, “We have not received such a letter so far,” casting doubt on Trump’s assertion within hours of his statement.
Tehran has long maintained that trust in Washington evaporated after the U.S. exited the JCPOA nuclear deal. Ayatollah Khamenei has dismissed talks with the U.S. as “neither wise, nor intelligent, nor honorable,” rejecting dialogue outright. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed personal openness to negotiations, though he defers to Khamenei’s final say.
