Mar-a-Lago, Florida – President Donald Trump announced today that representatives of Iran’s new leadership have signaled a willingness to engage in negotiations following the U.S.-Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes, which Trump authorized Saturday, targeted Iranian missile facilities and naval assets, according to statements released by the White House.
“They wish to talk and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them,” Trump said in a phone call with reporters this morning. “They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was incredibly practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
The President declined to specify when the conversations would take place, noting that some individuals previously involved in negotiations were no longer alive. “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,” he stated. “They should have done it sooner, Michael. They could have made a deal. They played too cute.”
Saturday, Trump called on the Iranian people to overthrow the existing regime, stating in a video message that the current moment presented an opportunity for a “prosperous and glorious future.” He urged Iranians to “seize control of your destiny.”
When asked whether the U.S. Would continue its bombing campaign to support a potential uprising, Trump offered no firm commitment. “I have to look at the situation at the time it happens, Michael. You can’t give an answer to that question,” he said. However, he expressed optimism about the possibility of a successful uprising, citing reports of celebrations in Iranian cities and among expatriate communities in the United States.
“That is going to happen. You are seeing that, and I think it’s gonna happen. A lot of people are extremely happy over there and in Los Angeles and in many other places,” Trump said. Reports indicate that although pro-regime change demonstrations have occurred, they have been met with concurrent anti-war protests.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the initial reaction from the Iranian population, acknowledging the dangers they face. “Knowing it’s very dangerous, knowing I’ve told everybody to stay in place—I think it’s a very dangerous place right now,” he said. “The people over there are shouting in the streets with happiness, but at the same time, there are a lot of bombs coming down.”
The operation has resulted in the first known American casualties, with U.S. Military officials announcing this morning that three service members were killed and five wounded. Trump stated he does not anticipate the attack on Iran will negatively impact Republican efforts to highlight economic achievements ahead of this fall’s midterm elections. “We have the greatest economy we’ve ever had,” he said. “The word isn’t out because people like you don’t write about it properly. But the economy is ready to go through the roof. And it already is in many cases.”
Trump suggested the impact on oil markets, which will reopen tonight, would be less severe than anticipated due to the operation’s success. “This could have been a huge price increase with respect to oil, if things went wrong,” he said. He reiterated that others had sought to take similar action for 47 years, stating, “People have wanted to do it for 47 years. They’ve killed people for 47 years, and now it’s reversed on them.”
According to news reports, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was 86 years old. The strikes were a joint operation between the U.S. And Israel, with the stated objectives of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, containing its missile threats, protecting Americans and allies, and punishing the regime for the deaths of protestors.
