Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s former Middle East envoy, explained in a recent interview that the U.S. president aimed to prevent armed conflict with Iran by building trust with Tehran. In remarks aired on Friday, Witkoff clarified that Trump’s recent letter to Iran was not a threat but an effort to foster dialogue.
The U.S. and Iran have been long-time adversaries, with tensions reaching new heights following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and growing threats to international shipping from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. On March 7, Trump publicly revealed that he had sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, urging a return to negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The letter also contained a warning of potential military action.
However, Khamenei responded in a televised address on Friday, stating that “threats will get them nowhere” in dealing with Iran. Despite this, Witkoff defended Trump’s diplomatic approach, emphasizing that the U.S. held the military advantage, making it more logical for Iran to seek a diplomatic resolution.
Witkoff explained that Trump’s message in the letter was one of peace, stating: “I’m a president of peace. That’s what I want. There’s no reason for us to do this militarily. We should talk.” He further suggested that a verification program could be established to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear material, stressing that the alternative could be disastrous.
Additionally, Witkoff mentioned that the U.S. continues to engage with Iran through “back channels” involving multiple countries. Trump, he said, remains open to a diplomatic solution where Iran can reintegrate into the global community and rebuild trust.
