Trump says he would be "honored" to meet Iran’s Khamenei

US President Donald Trump said he would be open to meeting Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, if doing so helped secure an agreement with Tehran, adding that he would be “honoured” and “respectful” despite acknowledging that he is “not his favourite person.”

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said a meeting was not currently being pursued but could take place if diplomatic efforts resulted in a deal, Caliber.Az reports, citing Iranian media.

"I don't want to meet, but if I did meet, I'd be honoured to meet him. I'd like to see if we make a deal, but if we make a deal, it's possible that I would meet him. I'd be okay with it," Trump said.

The remarks come amid continued scrutiny of relations between Washington and Tehran and speculation over whether high-level engagement could accompany any future agreement between the two countries.

Trump said the idea of a meeting had been raised by others rather than by him and stressed that he would approach such an encounter with respect.

"I haven't really heard too much about it. I didn't suggest it (a meeting), but some people have suggested it. If it happened, it would be happening. I'd be respectful. I would say I'm not his favourite person, but with that being said, he's probably a professional. In some circles, he has a very good reputation, actually."

By Aghakazim Guliyev