Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says he wants to take his time and not be rushed into making a deal with Iran. The president spoke to reporters at the White House two days after extending the ceasefire indefinitely. The president also warned the U.S. is prepared to escalate if negotiations ultimately fail.

If they don't want to make a deal, then I'll finish it up militarily with the other 25% of the targets.

We've hit 78% of the targets that we've wanted to hit.

We've knocked out their manufacturing.

We've knocked out their missile production.

We've knocked out their drone production, we've knocked out

their drone production, we've knocked out everything. In some cases, when I say knocked it out,

70, 80, 90 percent. Trump also said he would not use a nuclear weapon against Iran, adding

that such a weapon should never be used against anyone. The ceasefire was extended earlier this

week to allow more time for talks,

though tensions remain on both sides. Pope Leo is urging Iran and the U.S. to come back to the

bargaining table. NPR's Jason DeRos reports the pontiff spoke today while traveling back to Rome

from Africa. The Pope told reporters that too often the

first response to international tensions is violence, and he encouraged answers that come from,

quote, a culture of peace rather than hatred and division. The Pope said that he carries with him

a photo of a Muslim child who waved a sign reading Welcome Pope Leo during his visit to Lebanon

last year. He said he's learned that child was killed during this war with the U.S. and Israel.

Leo acknowledged that the situation with Iran is complex, but he also said the attacks have caused

chaos affecting the global economy and, quote,

an entire population in Iran of innocent people suffering because of the war.

Jason DeRose, NPR News.

Another round of peace talks between Israel and Lebanon is taking place at the White House tonight.

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