US President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is prepared to let economic pressure on Iran increase rather than order a new military offensive, as Tehran continues to oppose the United States.
Only a week ago, Trump was close to ordering a return to major military operations. However, in an telephonic interview with Axios, he made no new military threats against Iran.
Trump also did not express anger or frustration over Iran delaying an announcement on a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. On Saturday, Iran issued a new list of demands for allowing shipping through the strait.
“We are keeping it low key. We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact that they have no money,” Trump told Axios.
Trump stressed that Iran is in a very poor economic condition and does not have enough money to pay its troops. He also said the US naval blockade had worsened the Iranian regime’s economic crisis.
‘US consumers face less pressure from war’
Trump said that the price of oil, at slightly more than $75 a barrel, meant US consumers were facing less pressure from the war.
“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” Trump said about the continuing tensions with Iran.
