Iran, engaged in conflict with Israel, has expressed its willingness to accept U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a meeting, the New York Times (NYT) reported on the 18th (local time).

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Iran's Supreme Leader. /Courtesy of WANA=Yonhap News

According to NYT, a spokesperson from Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that “the government will accept President Trump’s proposal for a meeting” and that “Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may be willing to engage in dialogue to discuss a ceasefire with Israel and Iran’s nuclear program.”

President Trump mentioned on the 16th that Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance might initiate talks with Iran. Consequently, it is reported that an atmosphere accepting the resumption of diplomacy is being created within Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Earlier, Minister Araghchi stated that they could return to the diplomatic arena if Israel halts its attacks, and on the same day, he emphasized through social media (SNS) X (formerly Twitter) that “we are committed to diplomacy excluding the Israeli regime.” He added that “all of Iran’s responses are for defensive purposes and are not aimed at any force other than the Israeli regime.”

However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyid Ali Khamenei has maintained a hardline stance. In a video speech on the same day, he warned, “The Iranian people will never respond to President Trump’s demand for surrender” and stated, “We will resist both the forced war and the forced peace imposed by the United States.”

This indicates a noticeable gap in positions within Iran, between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is showing a flexible attitude toward diplomatic dialogue, and the Supreme Leader, who maintains a hardline stance.