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According to the outlet, the main focus right now is ending the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump convened a meeting with his top national security team on May 22 to discuss the war with Iran, Axios reports, citing two U.S. officials.
Sources who spoke directly with Trump told the outlet that he is seriously considering launching new strikes against Iran if negotiators fail to secure a last-minute breakthrough.
One U.S. official familiar with the diplomatic efforts described the talks as “painful,” saying draft proposals are being exchanged daily with little progress.
Also present at the meeting were Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and other senior officials.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine were absent due to overseas engagements.
During the meeting, Trump was briefed on the status of negotiations and possible scenarios if diplomacy collapses. Hours later, the White House announced changes to Trump’s weekend schedule.
Instead of staying at his Bedminster golf club after a speech in New York on May 22, Trump returned to Washington. He also wrote on Truth Social that he would skip Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding because of “government matters and my love for the United States of America.”
“I think it’s important for me to remain in Washington, D.C., at the White House during this critical period of time,” Trump added.
Sources close to Trump told Axios that the president has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran negotiations in recent days. He has also discussed the possibility of carrying out one final “decisive” military operation that would allow him to declare victory and end the war.
At the same time, Axios notes there is no indication Trump has made a final decision to resume hostilities.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Friday that talks are ongoing, though a deal remains distant.
The semi-official Tasnim news agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited a source close to Iran’s negotiating team as saying discussions on disputed issues are still underway and no final outcome has been reached.
According to the source, the primary focus at the moment is “ending the war,” and no other issues will be addressed until that goal is achieved.
Two sources familiar with Trump’s thinking told Axios the president appears increasingly inclined to continue military action unless something unexpected happens at the negotiating table.
Earlier, Rubio said Washington sees some progress in talks with Iran, though many difficult issues remain unresolved. Iranian officials, meanwhile, continue to insist that deep disagreements persist between the two sides.
