CNN: Trump increasingly considers resuming large-scale military action against Iran
US President Donald Trump is increasingly dissatisfied with how Iran is conducting negotiations on ending the war and is now considering the possibility of resuming large-scale military action more seriously than at any point in recent weeks, CNN has reported, citing sources.
According to CNN, Trump is losing patience over the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as what he sees as a rift within the Iranian leadership that is preventing them from making meaningful concessions in negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Sources said Iran's latest response – which Trump reportedly described as absolutely unacceptable and stupid – led several officials to question whether Tehran is prepared to take negotiations seriously.
The report adds that different factions within the administration are advocating different approaches.
Some officials, including figures at the US Department of Defense, support a more aggressive pressure campaign aimed at forcing Iran back to the negotiating table, including targeted strikes designed to further weaken Tehran's position. Others still insist that diplomacy should be given more time, the sources said.
Many in Trump's inner circle reportedly want Pakistani mediators to be more direct in their communications with the Iranians. Some officials are questioning whether Pakistan is accurately conveying Trump's growing frustration with the negotiations.
Two sources also said that some administration officials believe Pakistan often presents the US with a more positive interpretation of Iran's position than one that reflects reality.
Countries across the region, along with Pakistan, are said to be making intensive efforts to convey to Iran that Trump is disappointed and that this may be Tehran's last chance to engage seriously in diplomacy.
One source added that the US and Iran operate with different thresholds of patience and timelines in negotiations, noting that Tehran has endured economic pressure for decades.
On Monday 11 May, Trump again met with his national security team at the White House to discuss possible next steps.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said that no major decision on future actions is likely before the president departs for China on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported, citing sources, that Iran had issued an official response to the latest US proposals for ending the war via Pakistani mediators.
Trump previously said he did not like Iran's response to the latest US peace proposals and later described it as "a piece of garbage".