Trump Accepts Talks With Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump told The Atlantic that Iran’s new interim leadership has expressed a desire to engage in discussions with the United States following the March 1, 2026 death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them.” He noted, “They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”

Trump did not specify the identities of the Iranian officials he would engage with or confirm the exact timing of the discussions, which could occur either Sunday or Monday.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a leadership council temporarily assumed the duties of supreme leader following Khamenei’s death. The council includes Pezeshkian himself, the judiciary head, and a member of the powerful Guardians Council, which oversees key policy and security decisions.

Trump referenced prior negotiations with Iranian officials who are now deceased, commenting, “Most of those people are gone. Some of the people we were dealing with are gone, because that was a big - that was a big hit.” He criticized previous delays, stating, “They should have done it sooner. They could have made a deal. They should've done it sooner. They played too cute.”

The potential engagement follows a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, including U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran’s military infrastructure in 2025 and 2026. The transition to a temporary council introduces both coordination challenges and opportunities for negotiation, as the council collectively manages Iran’s political and security apparatus.

Analysts note the dialogue may influence ongoing U.S. military planning, regional security postures, and Iran’s strategic posture. The council’s composition underscores the interplay between executive, judiciary, and Revolutionary Guard oversight, affecting decision-making speed and negotiation flexibility.

The discussions could mark a first direct contact between the U.S. and Iran’s leadership after the strike that killed Khamenei and senior officials, potentially shaping policy decisions across the Gulf and for U.S. alliances in Türkiye and the broader region.