In an interview with Axios, US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington intends to change its strategy towards Iran, shifting the focus from direct military threats to increased economic pressure. Despite the White House being on the verge of deciding to resume large-scale military operations just a week ago, the current rhetoric of the head of state demonstrates restraint and a readiness for prolonged negotiations.
Economic Crisis as the Main Weapon
The key argument for ruling out an immediate strike, according to Trump, is Tehran's dire financial situation. "We are simply watching Iran, considering its huge inflation and the fact that they have no money," the President stated. According to him, the naval blockade imposed by the US has already exacerbated the economic crisis in the country, depriving the regime of resources to maintain its armed forces. Trump is convinced that Iran is in a "very poor economic position" and will not be able to withstand sanctions pressure for long.
Situation Around the Strait of Hormuz
The situation around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz remains tense. On Saturday, Iran presented the US with a new list of requirements to resolve shipping issues, stating that the previously discussed agreement with Oman is insufficient. However, unlike previous weeks, Trump expressed neither anger nor frustration regarding the delays in negotiations. He characterized the current contacts as "semi-negotiations," during which the US tries to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to the process, waiting for the moment for a decisive move.
Impact on Oil Markets and American Consumers
The President also touched upon the conflict's impact on the US economy. Noting that the price of oil has fallen to slightly more than $75 per barrel, Trump emphasized that American consumers are feeling the consequences of the war to a lesser extent. "Everything will work out. Everything always works out. It's like a chess game," he summarized, comparing the diplomatic game with Iran to a complex strategy where every move is calculated in advance.
Contradictory Data
There is a discrepancy in the assessment of Washington's readiness to conclude the conflict. According to information published in the Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump has been preparing the ground in recent weeks to announce victory in the war against Iran if Tehran fully opens the Strait of Hormuz. Sources for the publication claim that the President was ready to end the war even without signing a new nuclear deal. At the same time, in a fresh interview for Axios, Trump emphasizes economic pressure and the absence of military threats, which may indicate a change in tactics or a desire to keep the intrigue before the final decision.
