By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) – US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, urging negotiations to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Trump, in his Thursday letter, emphasized his preference for diplomacy over military action, Axios reported, citing a preview of an interview with Fox Business Network.
“I said I hope you’re going to negotiate because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran,” Trump said.
He said the "other alternative" is that they have to do "something," because "you can't let them have a nuclear weapon."
Earlier this week, Russia said it has agreed to help Trump work with Iran over its nuclear program.
Trump’s comments come amid mixed signals from his administration on Iran. While he has vowed to reinstate “maximum pressure” on Tehran, he has also called for a “verified nuclear peace agreement.”
The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, imposing aggressive sanctions and isolating Iran diplomatically.