US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington is relying on economic pressure, such as sanctions and a naval blockade, rather than new military strikes to push Iran towards negotiating a deal.
“We are low-keying it,” Trump said during an Axios interview on Sunday, describing a more cautious approach following months of conflict, reports Al Jazeera.
He added that Washington is “only semi-negotiating” with Tehran while keeping a close eye on the severe toll the war has taken on the Iranian economy.
According to the US president, Iran is in “very bad shape” financially, experiencing high inflation and facing difficulties in paying its own troops. He credited a US naval blockade, which has been in place since April, with deepening the financial pressure on Tehran.
Trump also noted that falling oil prices, which are currently hovering just above $75 a barrel, have helped ease the economic strain on American consumers.
“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” he remarked.
Trump’s comments come at a time when Oman-mediated negotiations aimed at reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz to shipping appear close to a breakthrough.
Iran’s foreign ministry stated this month that these talks have reached their “final” stages, with both sides nearing an agreement on coordinates for a new shipping route through the strait.
However, Tehran has stressed that it will not fully reopen the vital waterway until the US “corrects its behaviour”. Iran’s demands include lifting the naval blockade, halting military actions, and paying war damages.
A ceasefire reached in June collapsed weeks later due to disputes over the control of the strait, leading to a resumption of fighting. Since then, Iran has maintained intermittent strikes on US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Yemen’s Houthis, who are aligned with Tehran, declared a separate naval blockade against Saudi Arabia last month.
The geopolitical situation is further complicated by reported friction between Washington and Israel over the pace of US efforts to wind down fighting on multiple fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon.
