Trump hints at increasing economic pressure on Iran

US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington may seek to increase economic pressure on Iran rather than launch a new military operation against the country for now.

In a recent interview with Axios, Trump said the US administration was maintaining “partial or semi-talks” with Tehran while closely monitoring Iran’s worsening economic situation, Anadolu Agency reported.

“We’re not really talking about it very much right now,” Trump said, referring to the US strategy toward Iran.

Trump claimed Iran was facing soaring inflation and a severe economic crisis, adding that the country was in such a vulnerable position that its government was struggling to pay members of its military.

He also said an effective US naval blockade at sea had increased pressure on the Iranian government and further deepened the country’s economic crisis.

Regarding the impact of the conflict on Americans, Trump said the decline in global crude oil prices to slightly above $75 a barrel had eased the financial pressure on US citizens.

Expressing confidence over the tense standoff with Tehran, Trump said, “Everything will work out. There’s always a solution. It’s basically a chess game.”

SKS