Trump says he is ‘not open’ to compromise with Iran: ‘They know what’s going to happen soon’

Trump will convene his national security team on Tuesday to discuss potential military action against Iran.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump said Monday he was unwilling to offer concessions to Tehran as the White House prepared for a Tuesday meeting on possible military action against Iran following what US officials described as an unsatisfactory new Iranian proposal.

Trump told The New York Post that he was no longer considering flexibility on Iranian uranium enrichment after receiving Tehran’s latest response in ongoing diplomatic contacts.

“I’m not open to anything right now,” Trump said when asked about remarks he made Friday suggesting he could support a 20-year halt to Iranian uranium enrichment.

The president also suggested Iran was aware of possible consequences if negotiations continue to stall.

“I can tell you they want to make a deal more than ever, because they know we’re—what’s going to be happening soon,” Trump said.

He declined to elaborate further, saying: “I can’t really talk to you about it. Too many things are happening.”

Separately, a senior American official told Channel 12 News that Trump will convene his national security team on Tuesday for what the official described as the first formal discussion focused specifically on military options regarding Iran.

The official said Washington received a revised Iranian proposal through Pakistani mediators but considered the document inadequate for advancing negotiations.

The White House views the proposal as “not sufficient” because it does not contain details capable of producing a breakthrough in talks, the official said.

According to the official, Iran has not clearly stated what concessions it is willing to make regarding uranium enrichment or its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, issues the official described as Trump’s two main priorities in the negotiations.

“We have not achieved much progress,” the official said. “We are at a very serious point in terms of how severe the situation is. The pressure is on Iran; they are the ones who need to respond appropriately.”

Trump reportedly spent part of the weekend meeting with members of his national security team at his Virginia golf club as officials reviewed options related to Iran. Additional meetings are expected Tuesday.

Asked about claims that Iran may be attempting to delay negotiations over both its nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said he “hadn’t heard that.”

Donald TrumpIran talksUS-Iran War