Trump doubles down on Iran: "We expect their economy to collapse under the blockade"

U.S. President Donald Trump said in an early-evening (Tuesday) conversation with reporters that the naval blockade on Iran will continue. According to him, "We expect the Iranian economy to collapse under the weight of the pressures resulting from the blockade on the country’s ports." Trump added, "We don’t have to rush anything. We have a blockade that doesn’t allow them any money."

The American president stated that he will not allow the Iranians to develop nuclear weapons. In his words, "We cannot let them obtain a nuclear weapon, because they will use it. I am 100% confident that the Iranians will stop enriching uranium. We will also receive the 60% enriched uranium. The stockpile of enriched uranium will come to the United States." Trump reiterated his demand from recent days that the Iranians sign the agreement and emphasized: "Either Iran’s leaders make the right decision or we will finish the job".

Before the call, and against the backdrop of a possible renewal of "Operation Freedom" in the Strait of Hormuz, the American president posted an image on his Truth account, with photos of Iranian Navy vessels on fire — and the caption: "Bye bye, speedboats!".

Trump’s tweet (Photo: According to Section 27A)

In parallel with Trump’s statements, the American Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, told the American media that "Iran has in effect tried to use North Korea’s strategy — to build such vast conventional capabilities that no one will dare stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It took courage from Trump to make this historic decision, and hopefully we can complete it through the negotiations taking place right now." Hegseth added: "We have ready plans for an escalation in Iran, if required."

On the other side, Iran’s Defense Ministry issued a statement that read: "If the enemies do not accept Iran’s demands through diplomacy, they should expect another loss in any future confrontation." As a reminder, earlier today the Iranian parliament’s spokesman, Ebrahim Rezaei, said that "one of Iran’s options in the event of another attack could be 90% enrichment. We will consider this in parliament".