Trump to Axios: I'm ready for "strong military action" if Iran talks fail
· Axios
President Trump told Axios on Monday that he decided to pause U.S. strikes on Iran in order to give negotiations another chance, but stressed that he could order a return to expanded military operations if diplomacy fails.
Why it matters: The current negotiations are focused on a new deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and relaunch talks on a comprehensive nuclear deal.
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- The talks are being conducted mainly between Iran and Oman. But Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt and Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are actively involved.
What he's saying: "We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action," Trump said in the interview.
- Asked how long he's willing to give diplomacy, the president said: "Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all."
Behind the scenes: Trump said he decided to pause strikes on Friday because the countries that are mediating asked him to give negotiations another chance.
- "All of the people that deal with Iran asked me: 'Don't fire,'" Trump said, stressing that he thinks Iran wants to make a deal.
Between the lines: "Nothing gained, nothing lost," Trump said when he explained why he agreed to the mediators' request.
- He noted that oil prices dropped and the stock market went up after he paused the attacks.
What to watch: Trump will meet Tuesday at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- "I am going to talk to Bibi about the fact that if I weren't president, Iran would have had nuclear weapons by now and Israel would have been destroyed," Trump said.