President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran has expressed willingness to participate in wider Middle East peace talks following its support for his ceasefire plan in Gaza.
Calling the moment a regional breakthrough, Trump declared, “We’ll work with Iran,” as he prepares to visit the Middle East this weekend.
Why It Matters
Trump’s announcement could have wide-reaching implications for regional stability and global politics. U.S.-Iran tensions have long shaped alliances, security policies, and energy markets in the Middle East. If Tehran’s stance leads to tangible cooperation, the development could influence the balance of power between Western nations and Middle Eastern actors, affect reconstruction and governance in Gaza, and reshape U.S. engagement across the region.
What to Know
At a White House Cabinet meeting, Trump hailed his Gaza ceasefire initiative as the start of “peace in the Middle East.” “Iran wants to work on peace now, they’ve informed us,” he said. “They’ve acknowledged that they are totally in favor of this deal. They think it’s a great thing, so we appreciate that, and we’ll work with Iran.”
Iran and Reconstruction
Trump linked the Gaza plan to his broader approach to Iran. He said he hoped a resolution to Iran’s nuclear impasse could open the door for support in rebuilding the country after U.S.-Israeli attacks in June, while stressing that Iran could not acquire nuclear arms.
“I think the attack was very important on Iran, because let’s say that didn’t happen, they’d probably, by now, have a nuclear weapon, numerous nuclear weapons, and therefore, even if we signed a deal, there’d be a big dark cloud over it, and it wouldn’t be the same thing,” he said, referring to U.S. and Israeli strikes on three key nuclear sites on June 22, followed by a ceasefire two days later. “As you know, we have major sanctions on Iran and lots of other things. We would like to see them be able to rebuild their country too, but they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Connecting the Nuclear Context
Trump presented the Gaza ceasefire plan as part of his broader strategy for regional stability, linking his approach to Iran’s nuclear program and reconstruction.
The first phase, agreed by Israel and Hamas, includes a ceasefire, the release of Israeli captives in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The second phase proposes a new governing authority excluding Hamas, a multinational Palestinian-Arab security force, and Arab and Islamic funding for reconstruction, with limited participation from the Palestinian Authority.
Iran’s Position
So far, Iran has been measured in its response. Its foreign ministry issued a statement supporting a resolution to the Gaza conflict that ends “the genocidal war,” withdraws occupying forces, and protects “the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Tehran will not relinquish its “right to enrich uranium,” writing on X, “There is NO solution but a negotiated outcome.”
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump: “Iran wants to work on peace now, they’ve informed us. They’ve acknowledged that they are totally in favor of this deal. They think it’s a great thing, so we appreciate that, and we’ll work with Iran.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported any initiative that entails ending the genocidal war, the withdrawal of occupying forces, the entry of humanitarian aid, the release of Palestinian prisoners and the realization of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.”
What Happens Next
Trump is due to travel to Egypt this weekend to discuss the next stages of his peace initiative with regional leaders. Whether Iran’s engagement leads to sustained cooperation or renewed confrontation will likely determine the future of Trump’s “peace in the Middle East” push.