US Media: Trump Was Willing to Personally Visit Turkey and Negotiate with Iran, but Canceled Due to Inability to Reach Khamenei

According to a report by AXIOS, sources say that last Monday, while attending the G7 summit in Canada, Trump received a phone call from Turkish President Erdoğan. Erdoğan proposed holding talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Istanbul the following day to explore a diplomatic solution to the war. Trump agreed and told Erdoğan he was willing to send Vice President Vance and White House envoy Witkoff, and even said he would personally travel to Turkey to meet the Iranian president if necessary. A White House official stated that just hours before Erdoğan’s call, Trump had already received “signals” through other secret channels that the Iranians wanted to meet. Erdoğan and the Turkish foreign minister then relayed the proposal to Iranian President Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi. Pezeshkian and Araghchi tried to contact Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei for approval, but were unable to reach him, as he was in hiding to avoid an Israeli assassination attempt. Hours later, the Iranians informed the Turks that they had not received approval. Turkey then notified the U.S. that the talks were canceled. Shortly after, Trump posted on social media, calling for everyone to evacuate Tehran immediately! This Saturday, Erdoğan met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Istanbul and urged him to hold direct talks with the Trump administration. Erdoğan told Araghchi that Turkey is ready to facilitate such negotiations as soon as possible. (Jin10)