President Donald Trump said he expects to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei at some point in the future, signaling optimism about ongoing communications despite continued conflict and slow-moving peace negotiations.
Speaking with Miranda Devine on the “Pod Force One” podcast released Wednesday, Trump said Khamenei remains actively involved in Iran’s decision-making process even though he has not appeared publicly since the war began on Feb. 28 following U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
According to reports referenced during the interview, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was injured in the strikes, which also reportedly killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with other members of his family.
“He's involved, absolutely,” Trump said. “Yeah, I think they have a lot of respect for him.”
Trump noted that Khamenei’s absence from public view has complicated negotiations, forcing both sides to rely on couriers to relay messages rather than direct meetings.
“I haven't had the privilege of meeting him … If you believe the stories, he's missing a lot of different parts,” Trump told Devine.
Despite those challenges, the president indicated that communications have been productive and that progress is being made.
“They say he is giving approval because that's the way it has been for a long, long time,” Trump said. “His father and then him, I guess it's a succession. But we seem to be getting along quite well.”
When asked whether he would like to meet the Iranian leader personally, Trump answered without hesitation.
“Yeah, I'd like to meet him. I'd love to meet everybody. I would like to meet him, and we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out,” he said.
Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently favored direct engagement with foreign leaders, including adversaries of the United States. During his first term, he met multiple times with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in an effort to reduce tensions surrounding Pyongyang’s nuclear program. He also pursued discussions involving Taliban leaders as part of broader peace efforts.
Trump’s latest comments represent a notable change in tone compared to previous criticisms he directed at Mojtaba Khamenei, whom he had previously described as a “lightweight” and an “unacceptable” choice to lead Iran.
The president also disclosed that intelligence officials briefed him in March regarding unconfirmed reports about Khamenei’s sexuality as part of a broader assessment of Iran’s leadership structure.
For now, Trump appears focused on keeping communication channels open and exploring the possibility of direct talks. As negotiations continue, his comments suggest that diplomacy remains on the table, even amid one of the most complex geopolitical situations in the world.
