WANA (Mar 22) – U.S. President Donald Trump is working to build trust with Iran in an effort to prevent armed conflict, the French news agency AFP reported today, citing Trump’s Middle East envoy. In an interview, Steve Witkoff stated that Trump’s recent letter to the Iranian government was not intended as a threat.

 

However, Witkoff claimed that the U.S. holds a military advantage over Iran and argued that it would have been more natural for Tehran to seek a diplomatic solution. “Yet, it is Trump who is actively pursuing this path,” he added.

 

Regarding the contents of the letter, Witkoff said it conveyed a clear message: “I am a president of peace. This is what I want. There is no reason for us to resolve this through military means. We need to engage in dialogue. We must establish a verification mechanism so that no one fears the military use of your nuclear materials—because the alternative is not a good one.”

 

Witkoff further claimed that U.S.-Iran talks are continuing through “informal channels, involving multiple countries and various intermediaries.”

 

According to him, Trump is “ready for an opportunity to resolve all issues with Iran and reintegrate it into the global community, restoring its national pride. He wants to build trust with them.”

 

Witkoff, Trump’s special representative for Middle East affairs, also expressed hope regarding a trip to Tehran. “I hope that either I or someone from the government will go to Tehran. This is a bit more complicated because it is a nuclear issue, and we need a specialist for it.”

 

“I think this matter will begin with someone from the president’s team, who could be me or someone else in the government, but I would welcome this opportunity,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, the U.S. news outlet Axios recently reported that Trump’s letter included a two-month deadline for reaching a new nuclear agreement.

 

Last week, Axios cited an American official and two sources familiar with the matter, stating that Trump’s letter set a 60-day ultimatum for negotiating a fresh nuclear deal with Iran.