U.S. President Donald Trump said they were ready to increase economic pressure on Iran instead of immediately launching a new military operation.
Speaking to Axios on Sunday, 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 claimed that the naval blockade imposed by the United States was increasing pressure on the Iranian government and deepening the economic crisis.
According to Trump, the economic impact of the conflict with Iran on Americans had declined as oil prices fell to slightly above $75 per barrel. Comparing the ongoing tensions with Tehran to a "chess game," Trump said things would work out in the end.