US president says he believes Tehran wants a new deal as economic pressure is 'getting tougher and tougher'; Rouhani tells Macron talks 'meaningless' unless sanctions eased

Report says proposal to ease economic pressure on Tehran was met with strong pushback by Bolton, who left the US administration the next day

Top officials insist that willingness, announced just hours after departure of hawk John Bolton, does not indicate softer line against Tehran

Tehran claims credit for Trump firing hawkish national security adviser, says dismissal result of Iranian resistance to US 'maximum pressure strategy'

US president reiterates he is open to meeting with Iranian president; Tehran says it won't hold direct talks with the US without sanctions relief

Mark Esper says Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign aimed at compelling Tehran to negotiate a new deal that would prevent it from having nuclear weapons 'forever'

Tehran to take third step away from 2015 nuclear deal, state-run media reports; President Rouhani calls move 'highly significant'

If such a summit takes place, prime minister says he thinks the US president will maintain a 'tough and sober' approach

After setting Friday deadline for an EU solution for skirting US sanctions, Tehran says failure will bring 'significant' new rollback of nuclear limits on centrifuges

European Commission spokesman says Tehran's steps 'undermine' 2015 nuclear deal as European powers seek ways to keep it alive