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A senior U.S. official stated that the United States will be forced to continue negotiations with Iran "via bombs" if Tehran does not alter its position, amid stalled talks regarding its nuclear program.
The Axios website quoted a senior U.S. official and an informed source stating that the White House considers the updated Iranian proposal to reach an agreement "insufficient" and does not represent a fundamental improvement compared to previous offers.
According to U.S. officials, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a meeting with his top national security team in the "Situation Room" on Tuesday to discuss military options.
The U.S. official said that the latest Iranian proposal, transmitted via Pakistani mediators, included only "cosmetic improvements," explaining that it features more phrasing regarding not seeking to acquire a nuclear weapon but does not include detailed commitments regarding suspending uranium enrichment or handing over the stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The official added: "We are not making significant progress, and today we are at a highly dangerous stage," noting that the pressure lies on Iran "to respond the right way."
He continued: "We need a real, robust, and detailed discussion regarding the nuclear program, and if that does not happen, the conversation will be via bombs."
The U.S. official pointed out that Washington and Tehran are not conducting direct negotiations regarding the substance of the agreement, but rather indirect talks aimed at reaching a consensus on the format of the negotiations.
While Iranian media spoke of U.S. approval to ease some oil sanctions during the negotiations, the U.S. official said that any easing of sanctions "will not be for free" without reciprocal steps from Iran.
Trump had told Axios in a call on Sunday that "time is running out" for Iran, warning that it "will receive much harder strikes" if it does not flexibility.
A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Monday that the United States had shown flexibility in allowing Iran to continue limited peaceful nuclear activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The source said that Washington has so far agreed to release only a quarter of the frozen Iranian assets, according to a phased timetable.
The source added that Iran demanded the United States reconsider both positions, noting that Iran focused again in its new proposal on ending the war, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting maritime sanctions.
As for the most controversial issues, such as its nuclear program and uranium enrichment, they have been postponed to subsequent rounds of talks.