Trump open to meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as war enters 4th month

President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would be “honored” to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would meet with Iran’s leader if a deal is reached to end the U.S.-Iran war, which has now entered its fourth month. Trump made the remarks while taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office.

“If we make a deal, it’s possible that I would meet,” he said. “I’d be okay with that.”

Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed Iran’s supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike during the opening days of the conflict.

Trump said that despite the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei’s father and several other members of his family, he expected the new Iranian leader to act as a “professional.”

“In some circles, he has a very good reputation, actually,” Trump said.

Negotiations aimed at ending the war have sent mixed signals in recent days, fueling uncertainty in global markets and driving up oil and gasoline prices. The conflict has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping route that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply — with Iran largely keeping the waterway closed since the war began.

According to AAA, the national average price of gasoline stood at about $4.24 per gallon on Thursday.

Although the conflict has been under a fragile ceasefire for several weeks, major disagreements remain. The United States is insisting that Iran permanently forgo the development of nuclear weapons and immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, meanwhile, is demanding an end to military operations on multiple fronts and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade of its ports.

The outlook for diplomacy has shifted repeatedly. On Monday, Iranian state media reported that Tehran’s negotiators would suspend talks and keep the strait closed. Just two days later, Trump said Iran had agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon, raising hopes for a potential breakthrough.