- United States President Donald Trump has said Washington is relying on economic pressure rather than new military strikes to push Iran towards making a deal.
- Trump said in an Axios interview on Sunday that Washington is low-keying it and only semi-negotiating with Tehran, pointing to a more cautious approach after months of conflict.
- Trump expressed confidence in the outcome, saying, “It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game”.
- Trump’s remarks come as talks mediated by Oman over reopening the [Strait of Hormuz] to shipping appear close to a breakthrough.
- Iran’s foreign ministry said this month that the talks had reached their final stages, with both sides nearing an agreement on coordinates for a new shipping route through the strait.
- Tehran has stressed it would not fully reopen the waterway until the US corrects its behaviour, which includes demands to lift the naval blockade, halt military actions and pay war damages.
In a recent Axios interview, President Donald Trump emphasized a strategic shift in U.S. policy towards Iran, stating, "We are low-keying it" and focusing on economic pressure rather than military strikes. He highlighted Iran's "very bad shape" financially, with high inflation and challenges in compensating its troops, attributing this to a U.S. naval blockade implemented since April. Trump noted that falling oil prices, currently just above $75 a barrel, have mitigated the economic burden on American consumers. He expressed confidence in the ongoing negotiations, asserting, "It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game". These remarks come as talks mediated by Oman regarding the reopening of shipping routes appear to be nearing a breakthrough, with Iran's foreign ministry indicating that discussions have reached their "final" stages. However, Tehran insists that full reopening of the waterway is contingent upon the U.S. "correcting its behaviour", which includes lifting the naval blockade and addressing military actions and war damages.1245
“Oman-mediated talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz appear close to a breakthrough, with Iran's foreign ministry saying they've reached 'final' stages. Tehran insists it won't fully reopen the waterway until the US lifts the naval blockade, halts military actions, and pays war damages.”
