Analysts speaking to the programme “Ma Wara’a Al Khabar” have ruled out the possibility of a meeting between former United States President Donald Trump and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, citing several factors, foremost among them the nature of relations between the two countries.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the president is prepared to meet the Iranian leader, saying, “I am fully confident that if Khamenei said he wanted to meet President Trump tomorrow, he would meet him.” Rubio clarified that Trump’s openness to such a meeting is not due to agreement with Khamenei, but because he believes it is the best way to resolve problems.
According to Kenneth Katzman, a researcher in strategic studies and international security, Rubio himself is aware that such a meeting will not take place. Katzman argued that the US president would not travel to Tehran, and the Iranian Supreme Leader would not go to Washington. He also noted that Khamenei does not receive American leaders in the first place. Katzman viewed Rubio’s statement as an indication of Trump’s strong desire to reach an agreement with the Iranians.
For his part, Hassan Ahmadian, Professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Tehran, said during the 14 February 2026 episode of “Ma Wara’a Al Khabar” that Rubio’s remarks are far removed from reality and should not be taken seriously.
Ahmadian stated that the Supreme Leader will not meet Trump, who, according to him, has taken hostile actions against Iran. He added that the two sides have not even reached a glimmer of hope in negotiations that would justify moving towards a leaders’ meeting.
Meanwhile, Hosni Abidi, Professor of International Relations at the University of Geneva, believes Rubio’s statement was not random. He suggested it came on the eve of the anticipated negotiations in the Swiss city of Geneva, and followed Trump’s earlier remarks about “regime change in Iran”.
Tehran Does Not Trust Trump
Analysts speaking to the programme agreed that the upcoming negotiations in Geneva between Washington and Tehran will not be easy. The American president insists on reaching an agreement as quickly as possible and is demanding concessions from Iran.
Katzman said Trump is offering Iran a diplomatic path if it agrees to zero uranium enrichment. According to Katzman, the Iranian system, which he described as weak, seeks sanctions relief while insisting on its right to enrich uranium inside Iran, a position rejected by Washington. He predicted no breakthrough in the Geneva talks, noting that “Trump has pointed to regime change in Iran as an alternative solution”.
In contrast, Ahmadian spoke of potential middle ground solutions. He said ideas are being discussed that could give Trump what he wants while preserving Iran’s demands. However, he stressed that the core issue for the Iranians is their lack of trust in the US president and uncertainty over whether he would honour any agreement if concessions were made.
Abidi described the Geneva negotiations as significant and sensitive, viewing them as a continuation of earlier talks held in Muscat. He suggested that Iran could test the seriousness of the United States and Western powers regarding sanctions relief by freezing uranium enrichment for three years.
Abidi did not downplay the importance of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. He said the United States seeks to use military pressure as leverage during talks, yet Trump consistently reiterates that a diplomatic solution remains the preferred option.
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