has left open the possibility of starring in one of the most surprising images of international politics in recent years: a face-to-face meeting with Iran’s supreme leader.
The American president assured this Thursday that he would be willing to meet with the Ayatollah If the negotiations between Washington and Tehran They culminate successfully and allow an agreement to be concluded that puts an end to the conflict that began last February.
“It would be an honor to meet you”
During a media appearance in the Oval Office, Trump He was asked about the possibility of meeting with the Iranian leader. “I don’t want to meet, but if I did, it would be an honor to meet him”he responded.
The president added that his priority continues to be reaching an agreement, although he acknowledged that, if it is finally achieved, he would not rule out a meeting at the highest level. “I would like to see if we can reach an agreement, but if we reach an agreement, it is possible that I would meet with him. That would be fine with me”he stated.
A relationship marked by war
The hypothetical meeting would have an enormous symbolic weight.
Mokhtaba Khamenei assumed the supreme leadership of Iran after the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during on February 28, an operation that unleashed the war between both countries.
Aware of that context, Trump acknowledged that he is probably not a figure especially appreciated by the Iranian leader. “It would be respectful,” the American president assured, although he admitted that he may not be Khamenei’s “favorite person.”
The most mysterious Iranian leader
Unlike his father, Mojtaba Khamenei maintains an extremely discreet profile. Since taking office he has barely appeared in public and his messages are usually disseminated only in writing.
His absence from the public scene has fueled numerous speculations in recent months. In fact, Trump himself even hinted on some occasion that he might have died.
For his part, the Pentagon He is suspected to have been severely disfigured during one of the bombings that rocked Iran at the beginning of the conflict.
Negotiations full of contradictions
The statements of Trump They come amid conflicting messages about the real state of the talks.
The United States and Iran have been exchanging drafts for a possible agreement through Pakistani mediators for weeks, but while Tehran insists that negotiations are paralyzed, The White House maintains that they continue to move forward.
Trump has even stated on several occasions in recent days that an agreement could be announced this weekend.
For now there is no official confirmation that this pact is close, but the words of the American president show to what extent Washington He wants to project optimism.
And they also leave an unprecedented possibility on the table: that, after months of war and tension, the next big step is a meeting between Trump and the man who today embodies absolute power in Iran.
