Trump curious why Iran has not 'capitulated', Witkoff says
BBC World
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
US President Donald Trump is expressing curiosity over why Iran has not yielded to US pressure despite Washington's significant military build-up in the Middle East. Speaking through his special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump wondered aloud why Tehran hasn't come forward with concessions or a nuclear deal, given the overwhelming naval presence near Iran. The US and its allies have been stepping up military deployments, including sending the USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups to the region.
Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi remains cautiously optimistic about reaching a diplomatic resolution, stating there is still a chance for a win-win
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/22/2026