Trump says Iran ready for talks after strikes, claims U.S. agrees to negotiate

2026-03-01 - 21:07

Donald Trump has said Iran’s leadership is prepared to resume negotiations with the United States following a wave of U.S.–Israeli strikes on multiple cities in the country, adding that Washington has agreed to the proposed talks. According to The Atlantic, Trump said Tehran initiated contact seeking dialogue. “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” he said. “They should have done it sooner.” He suggested that delays in returning to negotiations had worsened the situation, noting that several Iranian officials previously involved in diplomacy were no longer alive following the strikes. The reported outreach comes amid escalating tensions after coordinated U.S.–Israeli attacks targeted Iranian military and leadership sites. The strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, along with other senior officials. With Khamenei’s death, Iran is said to be under transitional leadership pending the selection of a successor by the Assembly of Experts. Authorities in Tehran have declared a national mourning period. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Iranian officials and regional monitors estimate that more than 200 people have been killed and over 700 injured since the strikes began. In Israel, authorities report at least nine deaths and more than 100 injuries from retaliatory missile and drone attacks. Trump did not disclose which Iranian officials are directly overseeing the renewed outreach to Washington, but he indicated that discussions could begin soon if conditions are met. The latest developments signal a potential diplomatic opening even as hostilities continue, raising cautious hopes that negotiations could help de-escalate one of the region’s most volatile confrontations.