Iran Rejects the Idea of Trump Meeting the Supreme Leader

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the possibility of his country’s supreme leader meeting former U.S. President Donald Trump after the former president suggested the idea. On Wednesday, Trump told the New York Post, “Yeah, I’d like to meet him,” adding that “we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out.”

In an interview with Lebanese media aired Thursday night, Araghchi downplayed the likelihood of such a meeting, describing it as unrealistic. “I saw a report which apparently said that he (Trump) had stated that he was ready for a meeting or that he wanted to hold a meeting,” Araghchi told Al Mayadeen television channel. “I think we should be realistic and think and live in the real world,” he added.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader in March following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in U.S.–Israeli strikes on February 28. Araghchi said that during the attacks that killed Ali Khamenei he was inside the leader’s office but in a different wing of the building, so he was unharmed. The strikes prompted Iran to respond with missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. allies in the Gulf region.

Araghchi also noted that the new supreme leader maintains a “completely close and effective presence in the country’s affairs and has full control.” He explained that Mojtaba Khamenei’s limited public appearances since his appointment are due to security considerations related to the war, which has been paused since April 8 under a fragile ceasefire. Mediated and direct talks between Iran and the United States have so far failed to secure a permanent end to the conflict.

AFP

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