President Donald Trump met with his national security on Monday to discuss the path forward in the war in Iran as negotiations continue to be deadlocked.
Axios detailed that Trump wants to reach a deal to end the war, but the gap between the U.S. and Iran's demands may not make it possible.
Citing two U.S. officials, the outlet said the president is considering military action as a way to increase pressure on the regime and close positions. "He will tune them up a bit," one of them said.
Trump said on Monday that negotiations are in "life support" after the regime's "unbelievably weak" response to Washington's proposal.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said Iranian leaders had agreed to hand over the country's enriched uranium but then backtracking.
"Two days ago, they said, 'You're going to have to take it,'" Trump said. "But they changed their mind because they didn't put it in the paper."
The president went on to reject claims that he doesn't have a clear plan to end the war. "It's a very simple plan: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, calling it "the best plan ever."
One of the alternatives being considered is resuming "Project Freedom," the operation allowing the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran's blockade. Trump suspended it last week ahead of Iran's response.
Tehran, in turn, said the country's response meant a rejection to Trump's "excessive demands."
The country's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said the U.S. was holding "one-sided views" and making "unreasonable" and "excessive demands." He claimed that Iran's proposal was "reasonable and generous not only for Iran's national interests, but also for the good and well-being of the region and the world."
Reports noted that Tehran's demands included an immediate end to the U.S.'s blockade upon the signing of the memorandum of understanding. Such a development would be followed by 30 days on negotiations focused on lifting sanctions on the country and unfreezing its assets.
Iranian media didn't specify whether the country was willing to make any concessions related to its nuclear program. A regime source told the outlet that Trump's dismissal of its response "has no importance."
