US President Donald Trump said Washington was ready to increase economic pressure on Iran instead of launching a new military operation.
Speaking to Axios on Sunday, Trump said the US 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 diminishing financial resources, Trump argued that Tehran was struggling to pay its troops’ salaries. Trump said Iran was in a “very bad financial position” and argued that the country’s economy was deteriorating.
The naval blockade is increasing economic pressure
Trump argued that the US naval blockade was increasing pressure on the Iranian government and contributed to the country’s economic crisis.
Trump also said the economic impact of the conflict with Iran on Americans had diminished as oil prices fell to slightly above $75 a barrel. Comparing the tensions with Tehran to a “game of chess,” Trump said things would eventually work out.