US in talks with ‘top person’ in Iran with ‘major points of agreement’ reached: Trump

24/03/2026

FLORIDA, Mar 23: Maintaining that US has postponed any military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days, President Donald Trump said that US is engaging with a "top person" in Iran's regime to try to resolve hostilities in the Middle East.
Trump said the United States and Iran have reached "major points of agreement" in recent talks, which he said could lead to a resolution of the ongoing Middle East conflict if the current five-day pause in strikes goes well.
Speaking to reporters in Florida before boarding Air Force One, Trump said the discussions, which he claims took place with a "highly respected" Iranian official, focused on ensuring Iran gives up its nuclear ambitions and its enriched uranium stockpile.
"We want no enrichment, but we also want the enriched uranium," he said. Trump added that his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner had participated in the discussions. He said the conversations that began on Sunday would continue on Monday, and if they progress productively, a deal could be reached very soon.
He clarified that the talks do not involve the country's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
He did not name the person when asked to whom US is speaking with in Iran, Trump asserted, "A top person. Don't forget: We've wiped out the leadership phase one, phase two and largely phase three. But we're dealing with a man who I believe is the most respected and the leader… it's a little tough, they've wiped out. we've wiped out everybody."
He confirmed that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were part of the discussions but did not identify the Iranian official involved.
When asked if the U.S. was in contact with Khamenei, Trump said, "No, not the Supreme Leader," adding that there has been no verified communication from Khamenei's son either.
"I don't consider him really the leader," Trump added.
The president also downplayed the impact of easing sanctions on certain Iranian oil stockpiles, saying the move was intended to increase global supply amid an energy crunch and would "not have any difference" in the ongoing conflict.
Trump described recent U.S.-Iran talks as "very good and productive" and said they had produced "major points of agreement." He indicated that additional phone calls and a potential in-person meeting would follow, emphasizing that Iran initiated the discussions.
The president stressed that any agreement would prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and would require the United States to secure highly enriched uranium. "The nuclear dust. We're gonna want that. And I think we're gonna get that. We've agreed to that," he said.
Despite the diplomatic overtures, Trump reiterated that military readiness remains, saying, "We're doing a five-day period, we'll see how that goes. If it goes well we're going to end up with settling this. Otherwise, we just keep bombing our little hearts out."
Trump also indicated he would seek USD200 billion in Pentagon funding for ongoing operations, although Congressional approval is uncertain amid skepticism from GOP leaders about passing such a measure without detailed plans.

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