Trump: US isn’t negotiating with Iran’s supreme leader - The Hill

The Hill
March 23, 2026
3 min read

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Trump states the U.S. is not negotiating with Iran's Supreme Leader, signaling a hardline posture toward Tehran.

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President Trump stated that the United States is not currently negotiating with Iran's Supreme Leader, signaling a hardline posture toward Tehran. The declaration comes as the Trump administration navigates Middle East tensions and ongoing concerns over Iran's nuclear program and regional activities. Trump's statement rules out direct engagement with Iran's top religious and political authority, potentially limiting diplomatic pathways that some regional actors have explored. The position reflects the administration's broader "maximum pressure" approach toward Iran, contrasting with earlier diplomatic efforts under previous administrations. The statement's timing and emphasis suggest the White House is reinforcing its stance that any future negotiations would occur on the administration's terms, if at all.

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