US President Donald Trump has said that he is in no hurry to decide whether to resume military operations against Iran, claiming that Tehran wants a negotiated settlement "more than they ever wanted" as diplomatic efforts between the two countries continue.
In a telephonic interview with Axios on Monday (local time), Trump said the United States had significantly weakened Iran's financial position but was willing to give diplomacy more time before deciding on its next course of action.
"One way or the other, we will do something, but there is no rush. We crippled them financially. They have no money, no gasoline and their people are getting very tired of it," Trump told Axios.
According to Axios, Qatari mediators have prepared a draft agreement outlining a three-day sequence of confidence-building measures aimed at resuming direct negotiations between the United States and Iran.
A diplomat familiar with the developments told the publication that the mediators were awaiting feedback from both Washington and Tehran. Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi travelled to Tehran on Monday to continue discussions on the proposed agreement. The diplomat indicated that progress was being made.