President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran this week may have been triggered by the downing of a U.S. military helicopter, but administration officials say the president's frustration with Tehran had been building for nearly two weeks before the incident.

According to U.S. and regional officials cited by Axios, Trump had grown increasingly impatient as Iran delayed responding to his latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The response still had not arrived when Trump approved Tuesday's military action.

The strikes were designed to send a message without shutting the door on diplomacy. Officials said the operation targeted Iranian radar and drone-control systems while avoiding casualties.

Even as the strikes unfolded, Qatari mediators were continuing efforts to salvage negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

On Wednesday, Trump made clear his patience was wearing thin.

"We're going to hit them again hard today, in case you miss it, because you don't turn on your television set, and we'll see what happens with the deal," he said.

Trump also blasted Iran for "playing us for suckers" and "tapping us along" during the talks. Iran's president responded by calling Trump's threats a sign of "desperation."

The White House's frustration reportedly dates back to late May, when Trump pushed for additional concessions from Tehran, including a pledge to down-blend enriched uranium within 60 days and guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi initially suggested Tehran would need only a few days to respond. Instead, the answer never came.

According to Axios, Trump became increasingly irritated by media reports questioning whether he could deliver a deal, criticism from Iran hawks who said he was going soft, and Iranian demands for access to frozen assets before making commitments of their own.

U.S. negotiators repeatedly warned Tehran that delays could invite "spoilers" or spark a military incident that would derail diplomatic efforts.

Those concerns proved prescient. After Israel struck Beirut, Iran launched missiles at Israel, prompting Israeli retaliation against targets in Tehran.

"We told the Iranians they made a big mistake by launching the attack on Israel because they gave a golden opportunity for Bibi to spoil the negotiations," a regional source involved in the negotiations told Axios, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Then came the helicopter incident.

Although U.S. officials had not determined whether Iran intentionally brought down the aircraft, White House officials argued that a response was necessary.

"If we didn't respond, it would have made us look weak and also negatively influenced our position in the negotiations with Iran," one official told the outlet.

Hours before the strikes, Washington warned Tehran that "time was running out."

Despite the military exchange, administration officials insist a deal remains possible.

"The deal is still on the table, but the president is ready to make the Iranians pay a price if they continue to delay and drag their feet," a U.S. official told Axios.