Decades of animosity between Iran and the United States are one of the main drivers of instability in the Middle East. Trump has previously taken a strong stand on Iran and particularly on a nuclear program which could lead to the development of atomic weapons. Iran says its nuclear aims are peaceful.

President Trump’s desire to engage in negotiations is a turnabout from his first term, when he often derided former President Barack Obama for agreeing to a nuclear deal with Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would love to make a deal with Iran to improve bilateral relations, but added that Tehran should not develop a nuclear weapon. "I say this to Iran,