US-Iran Tension: Donald Trump Ready to Meet Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Saturday that President Donald Trump is willing to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an effort to resolve the deepening crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Washington, February 14: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Saturday that President Donald Trump is willing to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an effort to resolve the deepening crisis over Tehran’s nuclear program. Speaking to Bloomberg, Rubio emphasized that while the President does not share the Ayatollah’s views, he views direct engagement as a pragmatic tool for solving complex global problems.
The potential for a high-level summit comes as Washington and Tehran prepare for a second round of nuclear negotiations, reportedly scheduled to take place in Geneva on February 17. The upcoming talks follow a first round of Omani-mediated discussions in Muscat earlier this month, which focused strictly on the nuclear file. "I serve under a president that’s willing to meet with anybody," Rubio said. "I’m pretty confident in saying that if the Ayatollah said tomorrow he wanted to meet with President Trump, the president would meet him... because he thinks that’s the way you solve problems in the world." Donald Trump Warns Iran to Negotiate as Massive US Armada En Route, Saying Failure Could Lead to Far Worse Military Action.
The Secretary of State’s comments signal a dual-track approach by the Trump administration: an openness to high-level diplomacy paired with a return to "maximum pressure." Rubio clarified that any meaningful agreement must go beyond nuclear enrichment to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy groups—demands that Tehran has so far labeled as "red lines."
The diplomatic overture is unfolding against a backdrop of significant military posturing. President Trump recently ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East to bolster the U.S. presence. On Friday, the President warned that failure to reach a deal would carry "very steep" consequences, referencing the June 2025 military confrontation where the U.S. struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Tensions have been further strained by domestic unrest within Iran. Following a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests in early 2026, Trump suggested that a "change of government" in Tehran would be the ideal outcome, though he remains focused on securing a verifiable deal to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon. Iran Protest: 6,159 Killed in Nationwide Crackdown as US Aircraft Carrier Arrives; Rial Crashes to Record Low.
As the Geneva talks approach, the administration remains skeptical but committed to the process. Rubio noted that the meeting is not a "concession" or "legitimization," but a necessary step to determine if a peaceful resolution is possible before alternative options are considered.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 14, 2026 11:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).