The US special envoy revealed that Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has yet to surrender, even though the United States has issued warnings about military force and continuously sent naval forces to the Middle East.
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, told Fox News on 21 Feb 2026 that the US leader is questioning why Iran has not "surrendered," despite the Washington administration’s ongoing military buildup in the Middle East and warnings of limited military strikes if an agreement on Tehran's nuclear program is not reached.
"I don't want to use the word 'frustrated'... because he [Trump] understands he has many other options, but he wonders why they [Iran] still haven't... I don't want to say 'surrender,' but why haven't they surrendered?" Witkoff said.
"Why, under such pressure, with the massive naval power and personnel we have deployed there, haven't they come to us and said, 'We confirm we do not want nuclear weapons, and this is what we're prepared to do to prove it'?"
"Still, it remains difficult to bring them to that point," the special envoy added.
In recent weeks, the US has steadily reinforced its military presence near Iran and across the wider Middle East, including deploying the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the region.
Additionally, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, along with destroyers, other warships, and fighter jets, has been sent to join the forces there.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that he still believes there is a chance to resolve the conflict diplomatically with a "win-win" outcome. In an interview with CBS News, he said negotiators are working on details of the agreement.
Two days earlier, Araghchi said they are preparing a "possible draft agreement" to be delivered to Witkoff within the next few days.
US and Iranian officials held indirect talks on Iran's nuclear program in Geneva, Switzerland, on 17 Feb, after which both sides reported progress in the negotiations.
Oman, acting as a mediator, announced on Sunday that the next round of talks will take place in Geneva on Thursday, 26 Feb.
Despite reports of progress, on Thursday (19 Feb), President Trump announced that the world would know "within about 10 days" whether an agreement with Iran can be reached or if the US will decide to take military action.
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Source:bbc