In a surprising twist on the international stage, President Donald Trump has shifted his approach towards Iran’s leadership, causing a stir both domestically and abroad. The change in tone has left many Iranian citizens confused and outraged, as just days ago, Trump had been vocally critical of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Trump’s recent comments have taken a much softer tone, as he stated, “We seem to be getting along quite well.” This abrupt change has been met with disbelief within Iran, as citizens struggle to understand the President’s rapid transition from applying maximum pressure to suddenly seeking collaboration.
Adding to the surprise, Trump mentioned on Wednesday his potential willingness to meet with Iran’s Ayatollah, suggesting that such a meeting could occur depending on future developments. This statement was made during an appearance on the Pod Force One podcast, where the President noted that Iran’s leader was engaged in peace discussions with the United States, promising that the “Iran situation… will be very good.”
“I would like to meet him, and we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out,” Trump commented, indicating a possible shift towards diplomatic engagement with the Ayatollah.
Speaking on the Pod Force One podcast, Trump added that Iran’s leader was involved in peace talks with the US, and that ‘Iran situation … will be very good.’
‘I would like to meet him, and we probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out,’ he said of the Ayatollah.
Three Iranians, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, told the Daily Mail they feel ‘betrayed’ by Trump, who they say had given them direct hope at a time when their government was killing protesters in the streets.
They say his pivot to negotiating with that same murderous government has left them questioning whether ordinary Iranians were ever part of his equation.
Some Iranians, speaking anonymously, told the Daily Mail they feel ‘betrayed’ by Donald Trump, who said he and the Supreme Leader ‘seem to be getting along quite well’ (file image)
Many have reacted in sheer disbelief and anger at how rapidly the US President has shifted from maximum pressure to sudden courtship in terms of Iran (file image)
Members of the Iranian community hold placards during a rally in Sydney
Mojtaba Khamenei has been in hiding since American and Israeli forces bombed his father
‘Anyone who supports this regime and gives them authority is definitely an accomplice to evil. The real people of Iran feel like bargaining chips on the world stage. When will our suffering be over,’ said one Iranian business owner.
Trump’s political worldview has always been anchored by a distinct fascination with absolute power – a long–standing affinity for strongmen that includes Vladimir Putin, Viktor Orban, Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping.
That extends to Iran’s leaders, whose families he directly targeted.
‘If you believe the stories, he’s missing a lot of different parts,’ Trump told The Post’s Miranda Devine of the supreme leader’s son, who is now in power.
The 56-year-old has vanished from public view since that time, following surprise US-Israeli airstrikes. The attacks reportedly killed his father, the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with other family members.
A second female Iranian living inside Tehran says they now fear even more for their lives, given that leaders like Khamenei will be legitimized once again.
‘Was it all for nothing? So many lives were lost. We were willing to die for our freedom – but it turns out that we were played by both governments. All for a few barrels of cheaper oil and gas.’
A second female Iranian living inside Tehran says they now fear even more for their lives, given that the government will be legitimized once again.
‘Was it all for nothing? So many lives were lost. We were willing to die for our freedom – but it turns out that we were played by both governments. All for a few barrels of cheaper oil and gas.’
A third college student in Iran says they feel as though their future has been robbed.
‘They killed several fanatical leaders and left behind maniacal people with the same exact mentality and a thirst for revenge. They have blood lust for their own people, for acts they saw as defiance, as well as towards the US, for killing the religious leaders’ family members,’ they explained to the Daily Mail in Farsi.
Smoke and fire rise from the site of US–Israeli airstrikes in Tehran
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed he is close to a deal to end the war
Flights at Kuwait International Airport were suspended after an Iranian drone and missile attack damaged airport facilities
Iranian media said Tehran had not been in contact with Washington for several days, though Trump pushed back on Truth Social Wednesday: ‘The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today.’
Iran’s Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to the Guard, reported that Tehran’s negotiators have stopped communicating with ceasefire mediators, as tensions flared in Israel’s separate but related fight against the Iranian–backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
A regional official involved in the mediation, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, told AP that Iran had not communicated at all on Tuesday after saying that a ceasefire needed to be enforced in Lebanon for negotiations to continue.
Trump dismissed the claims on Truth Social, writing: ‘Fake News Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the U.S.A., stopped speaking a few days ago are false and erroneous.’
Last week, Iran and the US signaled progress towards a tentative initial agreement to halt the war and reopen the strait, but the two sides have yet to sign off on the deal, which would leave more complex negotiations for later.
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed he is close to a deal, with stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons his stated top priority.
Iran regularly denies developing a nuclear bomb, saying its atomic program is for peaceful purposes.
