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Trump balances diplomacy and military pressure as Iran talks loom- Axios

President Donald Trump is simultaneously preparing diplomatic options and military escalation in the Iran conflict, Axios cited US and Israeli officials on Tuesday.

Officials said the Trump administration is planning for another two to three weeks of war even if talks take place as special envoy Witkoff recommended Vice President JD Vance as a lead negotiator, citing the stature of his office and the perception that Tehran does not see him as a hawk.

A Trump adviser told Axios that the massing of US forces is intended as leverage rather than a sign of bad-faith negotiations.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603192844#202603251939

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Trump says war won, hints at possible deal with Iran

Summary

• Tehran is seen as unlikely to accept Washington’s terms even as US President Donald Trump appears determined to reach a deal,Reutersreported on Tuesday, citing Israeli sources.

•Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization says a projectile struck the grounds of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plantduring what it described as continued hostile actions by the United States and Israel, according to the IRNA news agency.

• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned on Tuesday that they could strike Israeli forces in northern Israel and the Gaza Strip if civilians are hit in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

•“We negotiate with bombs. You (Iran) have a choice as we loiter over the top of Tehran,” US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday.

• US President Donald Trump on Monday said preliminary conversations between the United States and Iran had been "very, very good", adding Tehran wanted to settle and agreed to "zero" enrichment. Tehran denies it had any talks with the US.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202603192844#202603251939