Iran's 'Potential New Leadership' Open to US Talks, Trump Is 'Eventually' Willing, AP Source Says

Overview

Iran's "potential new leadership" open to US talks, Trump is "eventually" willing, AP source says — marking what could become the first diplomatic opening in a crisis that has engulfed the Middle East since February 28, 2026. The revelation, reported by the Associated Press on March 1, came as US-Israeli military operations entered their second day following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, told AP that "new potential leadership" in Iran has suggested they are open to talks with the United States. Simultaneously, President Donald Trump confirmed in a phone interview with The Atlantic's Michael Scherer that he has "agreed to talk" with Iran's emerging leaders. The convergence of these signals arrives at a moment of extraordinary volatility: Iran's three-member interim leadership council is barely hours old, counterstrikes are raining across the Persian Gulf, three American service members are dead, and global markets are convulsing.

Yet the White House official was careful to note that Trump says he is only "eventually" willing to engage, and that for now, the military operation "continues unabated." The dual posture — extending a diplomatic hand while pressing ahead with strikes — recalls the administration's approach in the weeks leading up to Operation Epic Fury, when nuclear negotiations in Geneva and Oman ran parallel with accelerating military preparations.

The Diplomatic Signal

What the White House Official Said

The senior White House official, whose account was first reported by the Associated Press via WTOP News, laid out three key points:

• "New potential leadership" in Iran has suggested they are open for talks with the United States.
• President Trump says he is "eventually" willing to talk, but the military operation "continues unabated" for now.
• The official did not say who the potential new Iranian leaders are or how they made their alleged willingness to talk known.

The anonymity of the source and the lack of specifics about the Iranian interlocutors raise important caveats. It remains unclear whether the signal came from the newly formed interim leadership council, from back-channel communications through intermediaries such as Oman or Qatar, or from elements within Iran's government acting independently of the council. The phrasing "potential new leadership" — rather than naming the three-member council directly — suggests the administration itself may be uncertain about who will ultimately hold power in Tehran.

Trump's Atlantic Interview

Separately, in a phone interview conducted on Sunday by Atlantic staff writer Michael Scherer, Trump provided his most direct comments yet on the diplomatic dimension of the crisis. According to reports from Newsweek and The Hill:

"They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them."

Trump declined to specify who he would be speaking with, whether the conversation would happen Sunday or Monday, or through what channel. He also acknowledged the human cost on the Iranian side with a characteristically blunt observation: "Some of the people we were dealing with are gone, because that was a big — that was a big hit."

The comment is a reference to the deaths of multiple senior Iranian officials in the strikes, including Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani, who had been a key figure in previous nuclear negotiations. Trump also criticized Iran's previous negotiating posture, saying: "They should have done it sooner... They waited too long."

Iran's Three-Member Interim Leadership Council

Hours before the diplomatic signals emerged, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that a three-member interim leadership council had been formed under Article 111 of Iran's constitution to temporarily assume the duties of the supreme leader. According to Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, the council will govern until the Assembly of Experts selects a new supreme leader.

President Masoud Pezeshkian

Pezeshkian, 71, is a reformist politician and cardiac surgeon who served in the Iranian military during the Iran-Iraq War. Elected president in July 2024 with 53.7% of the vote in a run-off election, his campaign focused on economic stabilization, easing social restrictions, and pursuing "constructive engagement abroad" while maintaining loyalty to the Islamic Republic's constitutional framework. He previously served as health minister under President Mohammad Khatami and represented the northwestern city of Tabriz in parliament after 2005. Regarding Khamenei's killing, Pezeshkian stated that Iran considers "it its legitimate duty and right to avenge the perpetrators and masterminds of this historic crime."

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei (Judiciary Chief)

Mohseni-Ejei is a senior religious leader who was appointed head of the judiciary by Khamenei in July 2021. He previously served as intelligence minister from 2005 to 2009, as prosecutor-general, and as first deputy chief justice. He is widely regarded as a hardline figure aligned with Iran's conservative government wing. In January 2026, when the collapsing rial triggered massive nationwide protests, Mohseni-Ejei promised "no leniency" toward what he called "rioters" and accused the US and Israel of supporting unrest.

Ayatollah Alireza Arafi (Guardian Council Member)

Arafi, 65, has served as a member of the Guardian Council since 2019 — an Islamic legal authority that vets all laws for compliance with Islamic principles and approves election candidates. He is also deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for overseeing and selecting the supreme leader. Arafi leads Friday prayers in Qom, Iran's most important religious center, and heads the national seminary system that oversees religious education across the country. His dual role on the Guardian Council and Assembly of Experts gives him outsized influence over Iran's constitutional succession process.

From Failed Negotiations to Operation Epic Fury

The diplomatic signal from Iran's new leadership arrives against the backdrop of failed negotiations that directly preceded the military strikes. As reported by CNBC and PBS, three rounds of US-Iran negotiations took place throughout February 2026:

• Round 1: Indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, mediated by Oman's foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi in early February.
• Round 2: Direct talks in Geneva between Iranian negotiators and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in mid-February.
• Round 3: The "most intense" round of nuclear talks concluded on February 27 in Geneva with no deal, with the US warning that Iran's reluctance to discuss weapons was a "big, big problem."

Just hours after talks stalled, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had told Al Jazeera that a deal was "within reach" if diplomacy were given priority. Less than 24 hours later, the strikes began.

On February 28, 2026, the United States launched Operation Epic Fury while Israel simultaneously executed Operation Roaring Lion, targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production facilities, military command centers, and senior leadership. As reported by NPR, Khamenei was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his Tehran compound. His daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law were also killed. Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani was among the other senior officials who died. According to the Washington Post, at least 133 civilians had been killed in the initial strikes, with 200 injured, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Trump confirmed the strikes via Truth Social, calling Khamenei "one of the most evil people in History," and told CNBC that military operations were "ahead of schedule." The strikes came after Iran rejected American demands to reduce its nuclear program and halt uranium enrichment beyond civilian thresholds.

Military Situation: Day 2

As the diplomatic signals surfaced on March 1, the military situation continued to escalate on multiple fronts, as reported across live updates from the Boston Herald, CNBC, and NBC News.

US-Israeli Operations

• B-2 stealth bombers struck Iranian ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound ordnance.
• Nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed or sunk, according to President Trump.
• Strikes continued across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
• Sen. Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated the campaign would likely continue "probably a few weeks" with no plans for large-scale ground forces.

US Casualties

Three US service members were killed in action and five were seriously wounded, US Central Command confirmed Sunday morning — the first reported American casualties in the joint operation. The deaths came from Iranian counterattacks on US military positions in the region.

Iranian Counterattacks

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched what it called its "most intense offensive operation" ever, firing missiles and drones at targets across eight countries:

• Israel: Missiles and drones targeted Jerusalem. Nine people were killed in a strike on a synagogue in Beit Shemesh.
• Kuwait: 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones detected. One person killed, 20 wounded.
• Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Oman: Strikes on US military installations. The IRGC claimed to have attacked 27 bases hosting US troops.
• Strait of Hormuz: Iranian forces attacked vessels, threatening the waterway through which one-fifth of global traded oil passes.

The US military stated that Iranian missiles "didn't even come close" to hitting the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told ABC that Iranian military capability remained intact, noting Iran had "retaliated...in only a few hours."

Civilian Toll

The most devastating single incident reported on Day 2 was a strike on an all-girls school in Minab, Hormozgan province, in southern Iran. At least 165 people were killed and 96 injured, according to the Boston Herald. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that total civilian casualties from both days of strikes exceeded 200 killed.

Congressional Reactions

The US Congress remained deeply divided over the scope, duration, and legality of the military campaign, with fault lines cutting across party lines in some cases.

Supporters

• Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the campaign would likely continue "probably a few weeks" and that there were no plans for deploying large-scale ground forces. He framed the operation as necessary to eliminate Iran's nuclear and missile threats.

Critics

• Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) predicted the operation would backfire, warning it would create "an even worse leadership" in Iran than what preceded it.
• Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) disagreed with what he called Trump's "gamble," expressing fear that the strikes would produce a more aggressive Iranian regime rather than a more compliant one.
• Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) highlighted the uncertainty surrounding post-Khamenei Iran, cautioning that the US had limited insight into what kind of government would emerge.

The debate over War Powers Resolution authorization remains active, with several Democratic lawmakers questioning whether the administration has the legal authority to continue sustained offensive operations without congressional approval.

International Response

The killing of Khamenei and the ongoing strikes drew sharply divided reactions across the globe, as catalogued by Al Jazeera and NBC News.

Western and Allied Responses

• European Union: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described Khamenei's death as "a defining moment in Iran's history," saying: "What comes next is uncertain. But there is now an open path to a different Iran, one that its people may have greater freedom to shape."
• Italy: Blamed Iran for provoking the attacks through its nuclear and missile programs.
• France: Postponed a planned Lebanon security conference from March 5 to April amid regional instability.

Opposing Voices

• China: Beijing said it "strongly condemns" the killing, describing the strikes as "a serious violation of Iran's sovereignty and security."
• North Korea: Called the strikes "illegal aggression" and a violation of national sovereignty.
• Turkey: President Erdogan emphasized that diplomacy remains "the most rational path" and urged restraint.
• Iraq: Called for dialogue while hosting mourning events for Khamenei.

Global Public Reactions

In a striking contrast, Iranian diaspora communities celebrated across European capitals. Thousands gathered in Paris waving Iranian, Israeli, American, and French flags. Similar celebrations occurred in Berlin and Vienna, where supporters of exiled Shah's son Reza Pahlavi rallied. Meanwhile, hundreds protested in Istanbul, burning US and Israeli flags.

Inside Iran itself, scenes were even more dramatic. As news of Khamenei's death broke, Iranians began pouring into the streets in celebration — though security forces were quickly deployed to prevent an uprising. Footage circulated on social media showing security forces opening fire on celebrants in multiple cities.

Economic Fallout

The conflict immediately sent shockwaves through global markets and shipping routes:

• Shipping: Maersk, the world's largest shipping company, paused all Suez Canal traffic and rerouted vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope due to regional instability. This significantly extends transit times and increases costs for global trade.
• Oil: OPEC Plus announced a 206,000 barrel-per-day production increase for April to help stabilize oil prices, which spiked sharply following the strikes.
• Strait of Hormuz: Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait — through which approximately one-fifth of all globally traded oil passes — raised fears of a prolonged disruption to energy supplies.
• Kuwait: Reported 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones detected in its airspace, with debris causing infrastructure damage.

The economic implications extend far beyond oil. Global supply chains, aviation routes, insurance markets, and currency markets are all experiencing turbulence as the conflict's duration and scope remain uncertain.

Online Reaction and Public Discussion

The diplomatic developments and ongoing military operations have dominated online discourse across platforms. On Reddit, threads in communities such as r/worldnews and r/geopolitics have seen intense discussion about whether Iran's diplomatic signals are genuine or a tactical maneuver to buy time during the strikes.

Key themes emerging from online discussion include:

• Skepticism about timing: Many users questioned whether Iran's new leadership is genuinely interested in diplomacy or simply attempting to halt the strikes before further damage is inflicted on the country's military infrastructure.
• Debate over the interim council's authority: Extensive discussion about whether Pezeshkian, Mohseni-Ejei, and Arafi have the actual power to negotiate, or whether the IRGC and other hardline elements will undermine any diplomatic efforts.
• Civilian casualties and moral arguments: The report of 165 deaths at the girls' school in Minab generated widespread outrage, with users debating proportionality and the legal framework governing the strikes.
• Historical parallels: Comparisons to the 2003 Iraq invasion, the 2011 Libya intervention, and the 1979 Iranian Revolution were common, with users debating whether regime change leads to stability or further chaos.
• Iranian diaspora celebrations: Videos of Iranians celebrating Khamenei's death — both inside Iran and abroad — were widely shared, prompting discussion about the disconnect between the Iranian government and its population.

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtags #IranTalks, #OperationEpicFury, and #KhameneiDead trended globally throughout the day, with discourse ranging from policy analysis to emotional reactions to the human toll.

What's Next

Several critical factors will determine whether the diplomatic signals translate into actual negotiations:

Reza Pahlavi's Claim

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last Shah, appeared on Fox News claiming to be "leading this transition." He stated he had "millions" of supporters inside Iran and anticipated completing a political transition within "a couple of years at the most," with the first 100 days being critical. Whether Pahlavi has any actual influence inside Iran remains deeply contested.

Ceasefire Mediation

Multiple regional powers have positioned themselves as potential mediators:

• Qatar and Saudi Arabia have explicitly called for restraint and offered to help mediate a ceasefire.
• Turkey and Egypt have also signaled willingness to facilitate dialogue.
• The UN Secretary-General called for an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to return to the negotiating table.

Key Unknowns

• Will the interim leadership council hold together, or will power struggles between reformists (Pezeshkian) and hardliners (Mohseni-Ejei) fracture Iran's government?
• How long will the 40-day mourning period for Khamenei last as a political factor, and will it galvanize resistance or create space for negotiations?
• Can any talks proceed meaningfully while military operations continue on both sides?
• What role will Russia and China play? Both have strategic interests in Iran and may seek to influence the succession process.
• Will the Assembly of Experts move quickly to select a new supreme leader, potentially undermining any interim diplomatic agreements?

Iran's Foreign Ministry Position

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told ABC that despite the strikes, Iranian military capability remained intact. He referenced previous failed negotiations with the US, calling them "a very bitter experience" — a signal that any new talks would face deep institutional skepticism within Iran's diplomatic establishment.

Why It Matters

This diplomatic signal represents the first concrete indication that elements within Iran's post-Khamenei power structure may be willing to engage with the United States. If talks materialize, they could set the trajectory for how this conflict ends — whether through a negotiated settlement, a prolonged military campaign, or something in between.

The stakes could not be higher. Three US service members are already dead. Civilian casualties in Iran are mounting. Iranian counterstrikes have hit eight countries. Global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. Oil markets are in turmoil. And the specter of further escalation — including the possibility of Iranian proxy groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis widening the war — hangs over the entire region.

The fact that both sides appear to be leaving the door open to dialogue, even as bombs fall, is historically significant. But as the failed February negotiations demonstrate, signals of openness and actual progress at the negotiating table are very different things. The world is watching to see whether the diplomatic overture announced by the AP source on March 1, 2026, represents a genuine turning point — or merely another false start in the long, volatile history of US-Iran relations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is on Iran's interim leadership council?

The council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian (a reformist cardiac surgeon elected in 2024), judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei (a hardline figure who previously served as intelligence minister), and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi (who oversees Iran's seminary system and serves as deputy chairman of the Assembly of Experts). The council was formed under Article 111 of Iran's constitution after Khamenei's death.

Has Trump agreed to talk with Iran's new leadership?

Yes. Trump told The Atlantic's Michael Scherer on March 1: "They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them." However, he declined to specify timing or who he would speak with, and the White House confirmed military operations continue "unabated."

What did the AP source say about Iran being open to US talks?

A senior White House official, speaking anonymously, told AP that "new potential leadership" in Iran suggested they are open to talks with the US. The official did not identify who these leaders are or how they communicated this willingness.

Is Operation Epic Fury still ongoing during the diplomatic signals?

Yes. B-2 stealth bombers continued striking missile sites on Day 2, nine Iranian naval vessels were destroyed, and strikes hit cities across Iran. Sen. Tom Cotton indicated the campaign would continue "probably a few weeks."

What are the chances of a ceasefire between the US and Iran?

The situation is highly fluid. While diplomatic signals exist from both sides, military operations continue. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, and the UN Secretary-General have offered to mediate. However, with Iran's IRGC pledging revenge and the US indicating weeks of continued operations, a near-term ceasefire appears unlikely but not impossible.

Related Coverage

• Live: Iran Confirms Supreme Leader Khamenei Is Dead
• Operation Epic Fury Explained: What We Know About the US Military Campaign
• Iran Government Structure Explained: Who Holds Power
• Iran Retaliation: US Bases Targeted Across the Middle East
• Iran Conflict: Next 30 Days Scenarios

Research Hubs

• Iran-Israel-Dubai War Guide
• Iran Nuclear and Military Briefing
• Israel Security and Escalation Briefing
• Dubai and UAE Risk Briefing
• Source Center: Primary References

Sources

Last updated: March 1, 2026. This article is revised when new evidence materially changes what can be stated with confidence.