US envoy says President Trump is curious why Iran has not yielded despite a major military build-up aimed at forcing a nuclear deal.

WASHINGTON: US envoy Steve Witkoff (pic) said President Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has not “capitulated” despite a significant American military build-up.

Witkoff made the remarks in a Fox News interview amid resumed US-Iran talks in Geneva aimed at averting potential military action.

The United States has dispatched two aircraft carriers, jets, and weaponry to the region to pressure Tehran into a nuclear agreement.

“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… I don’t want to use the word ‘capitulated,’ but why they haven’t capitulated,” Witkoff said.

He questioned why Iran had not come forward with concrete proposals despite the overwhelming display of US naval power.

Trump recently stated that Iran has at most 15 days to reach a deal, beginning with its nuclear programme.

The comments follow Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s announcement that a draft proposal for an agreement would be ready within days.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserted that Trump would not succeed in destroying the Islamic Republic.

Western nations accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies while insisting on its right to civilian enrichment.

Iran seeks relief from sanctions that have crippled its economy and sparked anti-government protests.

Witkoff also confirmed he met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince, at Trump’s direction.

US-based Pahlavi recently told a Munich crowd he is ready to lead Iran to a “secular democratic future”.

 The Sun Malaysia