WANA (Feb 22) – The U.S. President’s Special Envoy for West Asia, Steve Witkoff, said in a recent interview that President Donald Trump finds it puzzling that Iran has not surrendered despite the presence of significant U.S. military assets deployed near the country.

 

In excerpts of the interview that have been released, Witkoff addressed Iran’s reaction to the extensive U.S. military equipment stationed across West Asia. “The President asked me about this this morning,” he said.

 

“I wouldn’t say he is frustrated — but given the multiple options available to him, he finds the situation perplexing. He is curious why they (Iran) have not surrendered under such pressure.”

 

Zero Enrichment a U.S. Red Line

When asked about Washington’s red lines in negotiations with Tehran, Witkoff said, “Before sending us, the President gave me and Jared Kushner a clear framework. The red lines were defined: zero enrichment.”

 

He added that nuclear materials must also be returned. “They claim their program is entirely civilian,” Witkoff said. “But at the same time, their level of enrichment has gone far beyond what is necessary for a civilian nuclear program. It has reached 60 percent, and they are probably only a week away from obtaining weapons-grade material suitable for an industrial-quality bomb. This is extremely dangerous and unacceptable.”

 

Witkoff emphasized that the United States would continue to insist on these conditions “until they prove to us that they are capable of acting responsibly.”

 

In another part of the interview, Witkoff referred to a meeting with Reza Pahlavi, saying, “At the President’s direction, I met with Pahlavi. He is a strong individual who cares about his country. However, this is about President Trump’s policies, not Pahlavi’s policies.”

 

Iran and the United States have so far held two rounds of indirect talks in Oman and Geneva. Enrichment activities and Iran’s missile program remain among Tehran’s declared red lines in the negotiations.

People walk past an anti-US billboard on a street in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)