Iran's new offer is insufficient, risks war resumption: Senior U.S. official

"Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two U.S. officials said. The senior U.S. official said that if Iran won't shift its position, the U.S. will have to continue the negotiations "through bombs.""

"Trump told Axios in a phone call on Sunday, before the U.S. had received Iran's later offer, that "the clock is ticking" and if Iran doesn't show flexibility, "they are going to get hit much harder.""

"The new proposal includes more words on Iran's commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but no detailed commitments about suspending uranium enrichment or handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium. While Iranian state media reported that the U.S. had agreed to waive some oil sanctions on Iran during the negotiations, the U.S. official said no sanctions relief will happen "for free" without reciprocal action by Iran."

""We are really not making a lot of progress. We are at a very serious place today. The pressure is on them to be responsive in the right way," the senior U.S. official said. "It's time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out. We need some real, sturdy, and granular conversation [regarding the nuclear program]. If that's not gonna happen, we will have a conversation through bombs, which will be a shame.""

Trump is expected to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room to discuss military options. U.S. officials say negotiations will continue only if Iran shifts its position; otherwise, the U.S. will proceed “through bombs.” Iran’s counter-proposal delivered via Pakistani mediators includes more language about not pursuing a nuclear weapon, but lacks detailed commitments to suspend uranium enrichment or transfer its existing highly enriched uranium stockpile. The U.S. says no oil sanctions relief will occur “for free” without reciprocal steps by Iran. U.S. officials describe the situation as serious, with pressure on Iran to respond with concrete, granular discussion about the nuclear program. Talks are indirect, aiming to build consensus on negotiation terms.

Read at Axios