Trump ditches backchannel, goes direct with Iran's Supreme Leader: 'We probably will meet'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald J Trump has announced he is open to a historic, face-to-face summit with Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, marking an extraordinary shift from months of indirect backchannel diplomacy via third-party mediators.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Trump revealed that a personal meeting could materialize depending on how current negotiations unfold, creating a striking new trajectory for a conflict that sat on the brink of wider regional war just weeks ago.

When pressed on whether the Supreme Leader is personally directing Tehran's recent diplomatic shifts, Trump confirmed that negotiators operate under the Ayatollah's explicit authority. 

“They say he is giving approval because that's the way it has been for a long, long time,” Trump stated, referencing the clerical succession from the leader's late father.

Asked directly if he would meet the Iranian leadership in person, Trump responded: “Yeah, I'd like to meet him... We probably will meet at some point, depending on how it all works out.”

President touts swift battlefield successes

Trump expressed immense confidence that the administration is on the verge of a very big success, declaring that the United States has essentially defeated the Iranian military on the battlefield.

He linked the current Middle East standoff directly to his administration's swift intervention in South America earlier this year.

“We had a big success in Venezuela,” Trump told the New York Post, describing it as essentially a less-than-one-day war that safely opened the nation's energy sector.

“The oil companies are moving in now with us, and that's been a tremendous success... and we're having a very great success in Iran militarily,” he added.

Naval trade embargo remains operational

Despite his willingness to engage in unprecedented top-level diplomacy, Trump maintained that the United States remains fully postured to pursue harsher alternatives if a permanent settlement falls apart.

He emphasized that the Pentagon's comprehensive naval containment strategy continues to hold an absolute grip over the region.

“We're working on a deal, and if that happens, fine — and if it doesn't happen, that's ok too. We'll do it the other way,” Trump warned. “We're in good shape right now. We have the blockade, which is amazing. Our Navy is great.”

Fast resolution expected before autumn

While defense analysts questioned whether the tight maritime restrictions would drag on into the second half of the year, Trump predicted an imminent conclusion.

He dismissed the likelihood of the naval trade embargo remaining active through the upcoming holiday season.

Asked if the tight containment lines would still be anchored in place by Labor Day, the president stated that such an extended timeline remains unlikely.

“I think this will resolve itself fairly quickly,” Trump concluded, signaling that the pressure from the active embargo will force Tehran into executing a final deal soon.