Trump and France's Macron seek new measures on Iran as deadline looms

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Tuesday to seek stronger measures to contain Iran, as the US leader considers whether to ditch an international accord meant to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

At a joint news conference after lengthy talks, Trump did not repeat threats to withdraw from the 2015 agreement with Iran which was negotiated by his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, but made clear he has little patience for staying in the deal.

The friendliness extended to their talks on Iran, Syria and trade but there was no indication of a breakthrough on Macron's bid to persuade Trump to keep the United States in the Iran nuclear deal, maintain US troops in Syria and exempt European allies from 25-percent steel tariffs.

"It's not a mystery, we did not have the same starting positions, stances, and neither you nor I have a habit of changing our stances or going with the wind. That being said, I can say that we've had a very frank discussion," said Macron.