• Trump questions Iran's failure to agree on nuclear curbs amid U.S. military buildup.
• U.S. envoy Witkoff emphasizes Iran's enriching activities are dangerously close to bomb-making levels.
• Negotiations are ongoing, with differing views on sanctions relief between Iran and the U.S.
• Reza Pahlavi, Iranian opposition figure, met with U.S. officials at Trump's directive.

U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly curious as to why Iran has not yet "capitulated" and agreed to curb its nuclear program amid a significant military buildup in the Middle East. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, noted in a Fox News interview that the President understands the situation but is nonetheless intrigued by Iran's current stance under "pressure" from U.S. deployments, including aircraft carriers and naval forces, according to South China Morning Post, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

Witkoff remarked, “I don’t want to use the word ‘frustrated,’ because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but he's curious as to why they haven’t capitulated.” He questioned why Iran has not approached the U.S. to resolve issues concerning its nuclear ambitions, given the military assets positioned in the region. Instead, Witkoff explained that it remains "sort of hard to get them to that place," emphasizing the U.S.'s pressing concerns over Iran's enriched uranium levels, which have reportedly reached up to 60% fissile purity, dangerous as it approaches weapons-grade material, as noted by South China Morning Post and Reuters.

The Trump administration continues to insist that Iran must relinquish its enriched uranium and curb its missile program, and it has prepared for a potential air assault should diplomatic negotiations fail. Meanwhile, Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful and is only willing to accept certain limitations in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.

Moreover, Witkoff confirmed that he had met with Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah of Iran, which underscores the U.S. interest in Iranian opposition. According to reports, Pahlavi has emerged as a symbolic figure during recent anti-government protests in Iran. Notably, he has expressed support for U.S. military intervention in the region to potentially save lives and pushed for expedient negotiations regarding the nuclear deal, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and South China Morning Post.