Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump is open to a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to remarks made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday. The statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program.
“I am confident that if Ayatollah Khamenei said tomorrow he wanted to meet with President Trump, the President would agree,” Rubio said in an interview with Bloomberg. “Not given that he agrees with Ayatollah Khamenei, but because he believes that is the way to solve problems in the world.”
The willingness to engage directly with Iranian leadership signals a potential shift in the Trump administration’s approach to the region, though officials maintain the goal remains reaching an agreement with Iran. The development underscores growing regional tensions as the U.S. Increases its military presence in the area.
Rubio’s comments followed a new round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran in Muscat, Oman, on February 6, which Trump described as “going well and will continue.”
The U.S. Is also demonstrating a strong military posture, with the Pentagon sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. Images from February 9 showed the USS Gerald R. Ford and its accompanying fleet departing from waters off the coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, heading toward the region.
Officials revealed on Friday that the Pentagon is preparing for potential sustained operations against Iran lasting weeks, should Trump order it. Such a scenario could escalate into a more dangerous conflict than previously seen between the two countries, with the President again raising the possibility of “regime change” in Tehran, calling it “the best thing that could happen.”
According to one official, the U.S. Military could target Iranian government and security infrastructure, not solely nuclear facilities, in a prolonged campaign. The planning for this operation is reportedly “more complex” than previous considerations.
The U.S. Anticipates retaliatory strikes from Iran, potentially leading to a cycle of attacks, and counterattacks. Experts warn that the risks to U.S. Forces would be significantly higher in such an operation, given Iran’s extensive missile arsenal, and that retaliatory strikes could broaden the conflict regionally.
Rubio also indicated that U.S. Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to hold meetings soon, potentially related to ongoing discussions regarding Iran and Ukraine. These talks are expected to take place in Geneva on Tuesday.
The Secretary of State stated that Trump prefers to reach an agreement with Iran, but acknowledged that doing so is “very difficult.”
