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.

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 Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. Trump's comments come after he directed the Treasury and State Departments to drive the Islamic Republic's oil exports to zero.