U.S. media: Trump is seriously considering Iran's proposal for indirect nuclear negotiations.

ACCORDING TO THE AXIOS WEBSITE, TWO U.S. OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IRAN'S PROPOSAL FOR INDIRECT NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS, WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING U.S. FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN CASE TRUMP CHOOSES A MILITARY STRIKE. Trump has repeatedly said he would prefer a deal but warned that if it can't, he will bomb Iran. He gave Iran a two-month deadline to reach a deal, but it was unclear if and when the countdown would begin. The White House is still engaged in an internal debate, with one side arguing that a deal is achievable and the other arguing that negotiations are a waste of time and opposes strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. At the same time, the United States is massively massing forces in the Middle East. If Trump thinks the time is up, he will have a "loaded gun" ready. While Trump has proposed direct nuclear talks, Iran will only agree to indirect negotiations mediated by Oman. The Trump administration considers direct negotiations more likely to succeed, but does not rule out rejecting the form proposed by Iran and does not object to Oman acting as a mediator between the two countries, as it has done in the past.