Iranian officials are re-evaluating their stance toward incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, moving away from their formerly hostile approach to considering possible negotiations.
After years of animosity, which included cyberattacks targeting Trump’s campaign and various assassination attempts, some Iranian leaders are now contemplating whether diplomacy could serve as a more effective strategy following Trump’s successful re-election. This potential change in approach is reportedly being discussed in Iranian media and among former officials.
“Do not lose this historic opportunity for change in Iran-U.S. relations,” Hamid Aboutalebi, former political adviser to Iran’s government and established politician, wrote in an op-ed, urging Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to congratulate Trump on his presidential win.
This potential shift toward dialogue represents a notable change in Tehran’s approach. In his first term, Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear deal in 2018, reimposed severe sanctions on Iran, and ordered the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. In response, Iran has openly targeted Trump and called for acts of violence against him, with recent U.S. charges against three individuals connected to assassination attempts allegedly directed by Iran.
Nevertheless, Trump’s re-election has prompted new discussions in Tehran about the possibility of mending relations. Iranian officials told the New York Times that Trump’s reputation as a negotiator might be beneficial, especially as he strengthens his leadership within the Republican Party, suggesting that any agreements reached could have lasting implications.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, regarded as more moderate than his hardline predecessor, has been encouraged to take a pragmatic stance. An editorial in the influential Iranian newspaper Shargh advised Pezeshkian to “avoid past mistakes and pursue a multidimensional policy” in dealing with Trump, according to the Times.
Despite these calls for diplomacy, Pezeshkian’s influence is limited. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei holds ultimate authority in Iran and had previously banned officials from negotiating with Trump during his first term. Khamenei’s staunch opposition to Trump remains a major barrier to any possible diplomatic breakthrough.
Trump’s stance toward Iran will also play a critical role in future relations. Although he has stated he holds no hostility toward the Iranian people, Trump has made clear that the U.S. will not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. At a recent campaign event, Trump suggested that Israel should take decisive action against Iran’s nuclear sites, stating, “Hit the nuclear sites first and deal with the rest later.”
Brian Hook, a former Trump adviser on Iran now serving on the transition team, observed that while Trump does not aim for regime change, he regards Iran as a major source of instability in the Middle East.
Iranian officials are now facing the reality that their expectation of improved relations under a Democratic U.S. president may no longer be valid. With crippling sanctions straining Iran’s economy, Tehran seems to be running out of options, making engagement with Trump a potentially practical path forward.
“We do not want more sanctions and more instability. But at the same time, a comprehensive deal with Trump has to give us some wiggle room to save face domestically and justify it,” Rahman Ghahremanpour, a political analyst of Iran, told NYT. “That will be the big challenge.”
