“President Trump said Friday he halted plans to potentially ease sanctions on Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei downplayed the success of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear program,” Axios reports.
“Trump and his advisers had hoped Iran would agree to a meeting with the U.S.
next week, where the White House planned to offer incentives — including limited sanctions relief — to jumpstart negotiations.”“But a defiant video message Thursday by Khamenei — who declared victory over Israel and claimed Iran had dealt the U.S. a “slap in the face” — derailed that effort.”