Trump Loses Patience, Seriously Weighs Renewed Large-Scale Fighting With Iran

Doubts grow over Iran’s willingness to negotiate, sources say

Trump also frustrated with mediator Pakistan

Major decision before May 13 China trip appears unlikely

President Donald Trump is losing patience after repeated failures in talks to end the war with Iran and is seriously considering a return to large-scale fighting.

He is weighing a broader resumption of combat more seriously than at any point in recent weeks, CNN reported on May 11, citing people familiar with the matter.

Trump has voiced frustration that Iran continues blocking the Strait of Hormuz and has not made meaningful concessions on nuclear material, CNN reported. After receiving Iran’s response to a recent US ceasefire proposal, he called it “totally unacceptable” and used terms including “garbage” and “stupid.”

Doubts are growing inside the Trump administration over whether Iran is genuinely willing to negotiate, the people said. Divisions are also emerging over the next course of action. Hard-liners, including some Pentagon officials, are pushing for more pressure to force Iran to the table, including limited airstrikes aimed at further weakening Tehran’s position.

Another camp argues that diplomacy should be given more time and wants negotiations to continue.

Distrust of Pakistan, which has been acting as a mediator, is also growing among Trump’s aides, CNN said. Some around the president believe Pakistan may not be fully and accurately conveying Trump’s frustration to Iran, or may be presenting Tehran’s position to Washington in a more favorable light than warranted.

Still, an official from a Middle Eastern country said regional governments and Pakistan are forcefully telling Iran that Trump’s patience is running out and that this is the last diplomatic opening. Iran does not appear to be taking that seriously. The official added that the US and Iran differ in both their negotiating approach and their tolerance for pressure, and that Iran’s experience enduring decades of economic sanctions is making talks more difficult.

Trump convened his national security team at the White House on May 11 to discuss options. People familiar with the matter told CNN that he is unlikely to make a major decision before his planned May 13 trip to China. CNN said the outcome of Trump’s meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping could ultimately prove a watershed for the course of the war.

Park Su-bin, Hankyung.com reporter waterbean@hankyung.com