Trump announces he sent a letter to Khamenei: First official contact between Iran and the US

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

Official contact has been established between Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran—a country under US sanctions over allegations of developing nuclear weapons—and US President Donald Trump. Trump stated that he sent a letter to Khamenei, expressing his desire to reach a new agreement regarding the country's nuclear activities.

While stating that he would 'prefer to make a deal with Iran' to resolve the nuclear weapons program issue, Trump added that 'they have to do something because Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.'

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he sent a letter to Khamenei yesterday, expressing his preference for reaching an agreement on the nuclear weapons program.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and the US reached a breaking point after the US began imposing sanctions on Iran, citing the development of nuclear weapons. The nuclear and uranium enrichment agreement reached between the two countries during the term of former President Barack Obama was canceled during Trump's first presidential term, which began in 2016.

Obama advocated for the easing of sanctions imposed on Iran. Trump, who took a tougher stance on Iran, threatened Iran with war during his first presidential term.

IRAN-ISRAEL TENSION RAISED THE TEMPERATURE WITH THE US

Due to Israel's attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, diplomatic relations between the two countries have recently been on the verge of collapse. While Iran launched missile attacks on Tel Aviv, the US threatened Iran with 'conducting air operations.'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in early February that he was open to negotiations with the West. One week after Pezeshkian's statement, Khamenei gave a speech in which he declared that the US is 'the devil' and that they 'will never trust the Americans.'

Iranian officials have not made a statement regarding Trump's remarks. Trump also sent a 'personal' letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin before official contacts began between the US and Russia. Kremlin officials confirmed Trump's words, which he announced during a press conference, shortly before official contacts began.

News Source: 12punto