Trump: Iran in Very Bad Position, Unsure If It Will Surrender

"Axios": No tangible progress in negotiations; Washington and Tehran remain entrenched in their positions

- The U.S. president may order a resumption of large-scale combat operations against Iran after the midterm elections

U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not yet know whether Iran will surrender, emphasizing that it is in a "very bad position," as talks between Washington and Tehran continue to face disagreements that prevent tangible progress.

Trump added that the United States had removed from the Strait of Hormuz in the past two days oil quantities exceeding pre-war levels.

In a related development, Axios cited three informed sources as saying that the United States and Iran are not currently prepared to make concessions that would narrow the gap between their differences.

According to an informed source who spoke to the outlet, the talks held on Monday did not yield tangible progress, as the Iranian side is demanding matters that Washington cannot accept.

The source added that Iranians informed the U.S. side they would not make concessions unless Washington agrees to return to the memorandum of understanding.

Axios cited U.S. officials as saying that Trump was prepared to ease sanctions imposed on Iran and release frozen Iranian funds as part of efforts to reach an understanding.

The outlet, citing officials, revealed a two-page Qatari proposal aimed at bridging differences between the United States and Iran.

Axios also cited U.S. officials as saying that Trump may order a return to large-scale combat operations against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, if no progress is made in the negotiation track.