US President Donald Trump has revealed that he started secret nuclear deal talks with Iran.
Trump disclosed on Fox Business on Friday, March 7, that he sent a letter to Iran and its leadership yesterday hoping to start up talks and get a deal done.
'I said I hope you're going to negotiate, because it's going to be a lot better for Iran,' Trump revealed.
'I think they want to get that letter. The other alternative is we have to do something, because you can't let another nuclear weapon.'
The letter was addressed to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has not yet responded publicly.
'There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal,' Trump went on. 'I would prefer to make a deal, because I'm not looking to hurt Iran. They're great people.'
Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 during his first term in office.
Last month, Khamenei said that reopening nuclear talks with the U.S. would not be 'smart.'
It came after President Donald Trump threatened to 'obliterate' the nation, while also saying he'd 'love to make a deal.'
On Tuesday, Trump also signed an executive order outlining a 'maximum pressure' campaign against Tehran.
During the course of that signing, Trump warned that if Iran assassinated him, as officials have threatened to do after he ordered the killing of Quds force leader Qasem Soleimani - there would be retribution.
'If they did that, they would be obliterated,' Trump responded. 'I have left instructions. If they do it, they get obliterated, there won't be anything left.'
During the same appearance, Trump said he was 'torn' about signing the order because he'd like to make a deal with Iran, to prevent the Middle Eastern nation from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
In his remarks, Khamenei pointed to Trump as the reason a nuclear deal with the U.S. no longer existed.
'The person in charge tore it up,' Khamenei said.
He told Iranians they shouldn't do it again.
'Negotiating with America is neither smart, wise, or honorable,' he said in remarks marking the anniversary of Iran's 1979 revolution. 'It will not solve any of our problems. The reason? Experience!'
Khamenei also rejected Trump's plan for the U.S. to take control of war-torn Gaza, something the president floated on Tuesday during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House.
'On paper, Americans are changing the world map,' Khamenei said. 'Of course it's only on paper because it's devoid of reality.'
