President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Iran is eager to resume dialogue with the United States and that he is willing to meet Iranian officials “if necessary.” Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before flying to Iowa— and later repeating the message at a rally in Des Moines— Trump asserted that Tehran “wants to meet very badly” and has moderated its rhetoric following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which he termed a “strong blow.” The comments coincided with the administration’s announcement of a new round of sanctions targeting six companies and four vessels that Washington says move Iranian crude through a “ghost fleet,” part of a broader effort to pressure Tehran back to negotiations over its nuclear program. The United States and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since 1979, and no sitting U.S. president has met an Iranian counterpart in that time. Trump stressed that Washington is “not seeking conflict,” but said “it’s time” for Tehran to return to talks.