CNN: Pakistan faces backlash over distortion of Iran's position in US talks

Many people within President Donald Trump’s inner circle are demanding that Pakistani mediators adopt a much firmer tone in their communications with Iranian officials, as frustration inside the White House continues to grow over stalled negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

Some Trump administration figures have for a long time questioned whether Pakistan is forcefully delivering Trump’s frustration over the talks, as the president himself has publicly done, CNN reports.

Two sources also said that some US officials believe Pakistan often presents a more optimistic interpretation of Iran’s position to Washington than the actual situation warrants.

The concerns surrounding Pakistan’s mediation efforts come as Trump’s frustration with the broader negotiations continues to intensify.

Trump has become increasingly frustrated with the way Iranian officials are conducting negotiations, while several aides close to him say he is now weighing a return to large-scale military operations more seriously than at any point in recent weeks.

According to the sources, competing factions within the administration are pushing different strategies on how to move forward. Some officials, including figures within the Pentagon, are advocating a tougher approach designed to pressure Iran back to negotiations — including targeted military strikes intended to further weaken Tehran’s position. Others, however, continue to argue that diplomacy should still be given a real opportunity, the sources said.

Trump has also grown impatient over the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and what he views as deep divisions within Iran’s leadership that are preventing Tehran from making meaningful compromises in nuclear negotiations, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Iran’s latest response, which Trump described as both “totally unacceptable” and “stupid,” has intensified doubts among US officials over whether Tehran is genuinely prepared to engage in serious negotiations, the sources added.

Regional countries, together with Pakistan, have mounted an intensive diplomatic effort to make clear to Tehran that Trump’s patience is running out and that this may represent the final opportunity for Iran to seriously pursue diplomacy, a regional official said on May 11.

The official added that Washington and Tehran appear to be operating with entirely different timelines and levels of tolerance in the negotiations, noting that Iran has endured economic pressure for decades.

Trump held another meeting with his national security team at the White House on Monday, May 11, to review possible next steps. However, sources familiar with the discussions said that no major decision is expected before the president departs for China on Tuesday afternoon, May 12.

By Jeyhun Aghazada