Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is willing to consider easing sanctions on Iran, suggesting a possible shift in Washington’s approach toward Tehran amid ongoing regional instability.
Speaking during a dinner with Central Asian leaders, Trump revealed that Iran had reached out regarding the possibility of lifting U.S. sanctions, which have severely strained the country’s economy.
“Frankly, Iran has been asking if the sanctions could be lifted. Iran has got very heavy U.S. sanctions, and it makes it really hard,” Trump said.
“I’m open to hearing that, and we’ll see what happens, but I would be open to it.”
Tense Relations After Years of Sanctions and Conflict
Iran has faced extensive international sanctions for years, particularly since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. The reimposed restrictions have crippled Tehran’s economy, cutting off access to global markets and freezing billions in foreign assets.
Western nations, including the United States, have long accused Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is entirely for peaceful and civilian purposes.
Tensions spiked earlier this year when Israel launched a large-scale bombing campaign against Iranian targets in June, sparking a 12-day conflict that drew limited U.S. involvement. The fighting resulted in missile and drone exchanges between the two sides and halted ongoing nuclear negotiations that had been underway since April.
Trump, who returned to office in January, boasted that the strikes had “obliterated Iran’s nuclear program,” though independent verification of the extent of the damage remains unclear.
International Pressure for Renewed Diplomacy
In September, the United Nations reinstated sanctions on Tehran through a “snapback” mechanism initiated by Britain, France, and Germany, further restricting any dealings linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Despite escalating tensions, Oman—a traditional mediator between Washington and Tehran—has called on both sides to return to the negotiating table to pursue a new agreement that would curb Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Trump’s comments mark the first public indication that his administration may be open to renewed dialogue with Iran, raising cautious optimism among international observers that diplomacy could once again take precedence over confrontation in the Middle East.
