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Donald Trump, President of the United States, speaks at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. on June 4 (local time) regarding the restoration project of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and policies to promote the coal industry. / EPA Yonhap News

On June 4 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the United States would prevail against Iran “by diplomatic or military means.”

According to Reuters and AFP, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that regarding the Middle East conflict, “We will win one way or another. Either militarily or on paper.”

He also commented on the possibility of meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly, saying: “I don’t desperately want to meet him, but if I do, it would be an honor. If we reach an agreement, there is a chance I will meet him.”

Trump had noted the previous day that Khamenei was involved in negotiations between the two countries. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio likewise stated that there were signs Khamenei was becoming increasingly engaged in the talks.

Recently, the two countries have exchanged sporadic airstrikes. On June 3, Iran attacked Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring 63.

Trump warned that if Iran, currently under a ceasefire, were to launch an attack resulting in U.S. military casualties, operations would resume.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun‑min