Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appears to offer contingent support for the Iranian government to negotiate with the United States. His tweet states “Behind the smiles of diplomacy, there are always hidden and inner enmities and grudges of the evil one. Let us open our eyes and be careful with whom we are facing, dealing with, and talking. When a person knows his opponent, he may make a deal, but he knows what to do. We must recognize and know.”
The Financial Times reported that real estate investor and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will be in charge of Iran policy, though this is walked back shortly thereafter. Witkoff brokered the ceasefire deal in Gaza that has delivered relief for Palestinian and freed some Israeli hostages, reportedly pushing hard on Netanyahu to accept the deal.
While signing Executive Orders, Trump stated “No” when asked if Witkoff would be in charge of Iran policy. However, he indicated that Witkoff could still be in the mix, stating “But he’s certainly somebody I would use. He’s done a fantastic job. He’s a great negotiator.”
When asked on Fox News if the U.S. will support Israel in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, President Trump states “I want them to have a great country. They have great potential. The people are amazing. The only thing I’ve said about Iran is they can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they are religious zealots…There are ways that you can make it absolutely certain if you make a deal…You have to verify times ten. But they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And you know, if they get one, you’re going to have everyone else getting them, and then the whole thing is going to be a disaster.”
Following the sidelining of some hawks from Trump’s first term, a series of articles from neoconservative hawks attacks certain Trump officials and nominees for statements expressing skepticism toward war with Iran.
Former Trump officials who oversaw maximum pressure policies toward Iran have their security details revoked by President Trump within hours of his inauguration. Former CIA Director and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Iran envoy Brian Hook all are informed that their security details will terminate on 11:00 pm of January 21.
Trump also shares on Truth Social a message firing Brian Hook from his position on the board of a U.S. think tank, stating “Brian Hook from the Wilson Center for Scholars… YOU’RE FIRED!”
On his first day in office, President Trump issues an Executive Order revoking the security clearance of former National Security Advisor John Bolton, a long-time advocate of war with Iran. The order alleges that Bolton’s memoir detailed issues sensitive to national security.
President Trump did not address Iran directly in his Inaugural speech, but he did touch on American foreign policy, stating “We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end. And, perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into. My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier. That’s what I want to be. A peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that, as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.”
Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio was asked about Iran diplomacy in his confirmation hearing and expressed some degree of openness to negotiations, stating:
“I imagine that within (Iran’s) regime, and I’m just saying this because of common sense, there are two schools of thought. There’s one group that’s saying now is the time where we need to find ourselves an off ramp…and buy ourselves some time. And then there’s another group that’s probably saying that now is the time to prove that we are a nuclear power or nuclear capable power, enrich from 60% to 90%, and press go, and that’s how we’re going to buy ourselves immunity from foreign action. And this is a tenuous moment in that regard, but it’s one we need to acknowledge. My view of it is that we should be open to any arrangement that allows us to have safety and stability in the region, but one in which we’re clear eyed. Any concessions we make to the Iranian regime, we should anticipate that they will use, as they have used in the past, to build their weapons systems and to try to restart their sponsorship of Hezbollah and other related entities around the region because they seek to become the dominant regional power.”
NBC’s Lester Holt interviewed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who expressed openness to negotiations with the U.S. and denied allegations of plots against Trump. Pezeshkian emphasized mutual respect as key to dialogue.
Italy freed Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini, accused of contributing to Iran’s drone program. His release followed Italian journalist Cecilia Sala’s return from Iran, suggesting a two-step prisoner swap.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was freed from imprisonment in Iran on January 8 and returned to Italy. Freedom for Sala followed a direct appeal from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on January 4. Reports emerge that Sala’s boyfriend reached out to Elon Musk, who in turn raised the issue directly with Amb. Iravani, with Musk later confirming he played “a small role” but the Italian government saying he played no role. Musk later said “I did not have any interaction with Iran. Just recommended support from the U.S. side.”
Sala had been arrested on December 19 and sent to Evin Prison, raising strong protests from the Italian government. Her arrest had been preceded by the arrest of a Swiss-Iranian national – Mohammad Abedini – at Milan airport. Abedini had been wanted by the United States for allegedly selling navigation technology that was used in Iran’s military drone program. The Biden Justice Department alleged that Abedini and one other Iranian-American suspect had contributed to a January 2024 drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers, and sought his extradition from Italy to the U.S. for trial.
Writing in Foreign Affairs, Javad Zarif signaled that Iran is “open to negotiations,” including with the United States. However, with Trump preparing to take office he also signaled that Iran does not respond to pressure and will not submit to unreasonable demands:
“Instead of increasing pressure on Iran, the West should pursue positive-sum solutions. The nuclear deal provides a unique example, and the West should look to revive it. But to do so, it must take concrete and practical actions—including political, legislative, and mutually beneficial investment measures—to make sure Iran can benefit economically from the agreement, as was promised. Should Trump decide to take such steps, then Iran is willing to have a dialogue that would benefit both Tehran and Washington.”
Reports that Elon Musk met with Iran’s United Nations ambassador – Amir Saeid Iravani, to explore how to “defuse tensions.” Amb. Iravani reportedly told Musk “that he should obtain sanctions exemptions from the Treasury and bring some of his businesses to Tehran.”
Javad Zarif, tags President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance in an anti-war tweet after their electoral victory. Other electoral officials downplayed the impact of the election on Iran’s positions.
“The American people, including most Muslims, have spoken loud and clear in rejecting a shameful year of U.S. complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and carnage in Lebanon,” Zarif posted. Tagging the President-elect and Vice President-elect, Zarif continued “Let us hope that the incoming administration of @realDonaldTrump and @JDVance will stand against war as pledged, and will heed the clear lesson given by the American electorate to end wars and prevent new ones.” He offered a suggestion for the incoming administration, noting “Iran, having shown its resolve and ability to stand up to any aggression, will not be swayed by threats, but will be cognizant of respect.”
October 17, 2024:
Trump suggests on the campaign trail that the U.S. “can’t” get involved in coerced regime change, and suggests he’d like to see Iran be successful, so long as Iran does not secure a nuclear weapon.
“I would like to see Iran be very successful. The only thing is, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.“
On the campaign trail, President Trump suggests he’d negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran, suggesting that the Biden administration did not know how to.
“Sure, I would do that (a deal)…We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal. And, they would have had a deal…had the results of the election been correct, we would have had a deal within one week after the election. I was prepared to get it done within one week after the election. They (the Biden administration) could have done that too, but they had no idea how to go about it. They could have done it because I gave them a country that wanted to make a deal, they had to.”