US President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to increase economic pressure on Iran instead of immediately launching a new military operation.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said Washington was negotiating with Tehran only to a limited extent and was closely monitoring the deterioration of Iran’s economy.
Pointing to high inflation in Iran and the country’s dwindling financial resources, Trump argued that Tehran was struggling to pay its soldiers’ salaries. Trump said Iran was in “very bad shape” financially.
Naval blockade and oil prices
Trump argued that the naval blockade imposed by the United States was increasing pressure on the Iranian government and contributing to the country’s economic crisis.
Trump said the economic impact of the conflict with Iran on Americans had eased as oil prices fell to just above $75 a barrel. He compared the tensions with Tehran to “a game of chess.”
Trump said things would be resolved by the end of the process.