Media: Trump considers ex-intelligence chief as special envoy to Iran

President-elect Donald Trump is considering appointing Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, as a special envoy for Iran, according to two sources familiar with the transition plans.

"He's definitely in the running," said one of these sources, who requested anonymity, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

No final decisions on personnel or strategy regarding Iran have been made official by Trump, including whether to impose new sanctions, pursue diplomacy, or a combination of both to halt Iran's nuclear program. Neither Trump's team nor Grenell responded to requests for comment, and this consideration has not been previously reported.

However, the possibility of Grenell being appointed signals to the region that Trump may be open to talks with Iran, a country he has previously threatened, despite the Iranian government's alleged attempt to assassinate him, which they deny. If appointed, Grenell would be tasked with engaging with countries in and beyond the region on the Iran issue and gauging Tehran's willingness for negotiations, according to one of the sources.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, regarded as relatively moderate, indicated after Trump's election that Tehran must "deal with the U.S." and "manage" relations with its adversary. 

Additionally, President-elect Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration in January.

Iran has faced strategic setbacks, including Israeli strikes on Tehran's proxy militias Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the removal of Iranian ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Despite these challenges, tensions remain high over more than a year since Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, leading to the Gaza war. Other Iranian proxies have also targeted U.S., Israeli, and Western interests, while Tehran has accelerated its nuclear program and limited the U.N. nuclear watchdog's access.

This is not the first time Grenell has been considered for a significant role. He previously served as Trump's ambassador to Germany, a special presidential envoy for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations, and as acting director of national intelligence during Trump's term. After supporting Trump in the 2020 election, he was also a top contender for Secretary of State and special envoy for the Ukraine war, although these positions ultimately went to Senator Marco Rubio and retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg, respectively.

During Trump's first term, in 2020, he ordered a U.S. airstrike that killed Iran's top military commander, Qassem Soleimani. In 2018, Trump also withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions that had been lifted, which had limited Iran's ability to enrich uranium, a key component for nuclear weapons. Iran is now "dramatically" increasing uranium enrichment to 60% purity, nearing the 90% threshold for weapons-grade material, according to the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

By Khagan Isayev