Iranian Leaders Are Seeking Talks, Donald Trump says in an interview with The Atlantic, signalling possible diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions.
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s new leadership has expressed a willingness to begin talks with Washington, revealing in an interview with The Atlantic that he has agreed to engage in discussions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said Iranian officials had reached out following recent military developments in the region. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” he said, while criticising Tehran for not pursuing negotiations earlier. He did not specify which Iranian representatives would participate or when the talks might occur.
The remarks come after a dramatic escalation in conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. The crisis intensified following the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after which a temporary leadership council assumed authority in Tehran.
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Trump suggested that many Iranian officials previously involved in negotiations were no longer alive due to recent attacks, calling the military campaign a major success. He also claimed dozens of senior Iranian figures had been killed during the operations, though independent verification remains limited.
Despite signalling openness to diplomacy, U.S. officials indicated that military operations continue alongside any potential diplomatic outreach, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding future negotiations. Analysts say the possibility of talks could represent an attempt to de-escalate a rapidly widening regional conflict marked by missile exchanges and rising casualties.
Regional and international leaders have urged restraint, warning that continued escalation risks destabilising global energy markets and security across the Middle East. Whether Trump’s proposed talks will lead to formal negotiations remains unclear as both sides maintain military pressure while signalling cautious openness to dialogue.
Source: Reuters — Read full report
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