Fact Check: Did Iran call for Donald Trump to be their next Supreme Leader?
WASHINGTON, DC: As the US-Israel conflict with Iran enters its fourth week, President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has offered him the role of the country’s Supreme Leader, but refused the offer. The claim has sparked speculation and laughter among many who are questioning its authenticity. Let us fact-check the president’s statement.
Claim: Iran wants Donald Trump to be their Supreme Leader
Trump claimed that he had been personally approached by Iranian leaders to become their supreme leader, but refused the offer.
“We hear them very clearly. They say, I don’t want it. We’d like to make you the next supreme leader. No, thank you. I don’t want it,” Trump said, mimicking Iranians, during the NRCC Annual Fundraising Dinner on Wednesday.
"They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they're afraid to say it because they figure they'll be killed by their own people. They're also afraid they'll be killed by us," Trump further said.
Fact Check: False, Iran did not make such an offer to Donald Trump
However, there is no evidence that Iranian officials approached Trump to offer him the position of supreme leader.
Moreover, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday, “At present, our policy is to continue resistance, and no negotiations have taken place. There are no negotiations underway.”
Hence, it is unlikely for Trump to be offered such a position while Iran continues to be hostile towards the United States.
Donald Trump claims Iran is begging for a deal
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, March 26, Trump indicated that while Iran may be seeking talks, Washington’s position remains uncertain.
During remarks at the White House, Trump suggested that the prospect of a peace agreement may be diminishing, despite his earlier statements indicating that negotiations were possible.
“They are begging to work out a deal,” Trump said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that.”
He pushed back on reports that his administration was eager to secure a diplomatic resolution, instead asserting that Iranian leaders had sought to re-engage in talks.
At the same time, Trump described Iran’s negotiators in measured terms, saying, “They’re not fools. They’re very smart, actually in a certain way,” and characterizing them as “great negotiators.”
However, he suggested that the window for reaching an agreement may be closing. “They should have done that four weeks ago,” Trump said, indicating that delays could affect the possibility of a deal.
