Jerusalem Post/Middle EastTrump's NBC interview came days after he announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which Hezbollah refused to recognize, thus prompting IDF strikes on Beirut. Follow us on GoogleU.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media on board Air Force One while flying from Joint Base Andrews to Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S., June 5, 2026. (photo credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)ByCORINNE BAUMJUNE 7, 2026 16:27Updated: JUNE 7, 2026 16:49US President Donald Trump said that he is not demanding that Lebanon be a part of any peace deal with Iran in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" released on Sunday. His comments came as the IDF struck Hezbollah terror targets in Dahiyeh, Beirut, on Sunday.Additionally, the interview came days after Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which Hezbollah refused to recognize.In the interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, Trump claimed that Iran and the US are "very close" to a deal, and said that Iran has "conceded the fact that they will not have nuclear weapons." "We're very close to having a deal, and if we don't have a deal, we'll do it one way or the other. Either way, we win," he added.Trump says that he would meet directly with Khamenei, claims he is 'more rational' than his fatherHe then stated that he would be open to direct talks with Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.“I would if he’d like to, but I have not spoken to him directly," he said.Trump also confirmed that Khamenei is alive, that he is part of the decision-making process for a peace deal, and that he is "more rational" than his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.“He’s pretty badly injured. So there’s a certain bravery there," Trump said."A lot of people, if they were injured that badly, they wouldn’t be talking about, you know, ‘How are we doing with the United States?’ They’d have other things on their mind. So there’s a certain bravery there. But he is very seriously injured."Follow us on Google