Donald Trump, President of the United States, revealed that Iran sought talks after recent strikes. He shared this in a phone interview with Michael Scherer, reporter for The Atlantic, on March 1, 2026. The announcement followed US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran.
Direct Quote from Trump
Trump stated, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner.”
Moreover he added: “They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.” He noted that some Iranian negotiators died in the attacks.
In addition, Trump described the operations as ahead of schedule. He told Scherer, “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.” The strikes targeted Iran’s military and political sites.
Noncommittal on Uprising Support
Scherer asked if Trump would extend bombings to aid a potential uprising. Trump replied, “I have to look at the situation at the time it happens, Michael. You can’t give an answer to that question.” He remained vague on the timeline.
Furthermore, Trump insisted strikes would continue until objectives met. In a separate statement, he warned Iran against retaliation. Reports confirmed three US service members died in the conflict.
Broader Conflict Context
The war began on February 28, 2026, with joint attacks on Tehran. Trump predicted the conflict might last four weeks or less. Iran launched counterstrikes on US and Israeli bases.
Meanwhile, global reactions varied. Some nations urged de-escalation. Trump’s agreement to talks marked a potential shift amid escalating tensions. The negotiations aimed to address nuclear issues.
