Trump Signals Major Shift on Iran: “We’re Just Watching What Happens”

President Donald Trump is signaling that, for now, Washington is in no rush to escalate its confrontation with Iran again. Instead, it prefers to continue applying economic pressure on Tehran while monitoring its effects. In a brief phone interview today (Sunday) with Barak Ravid of Channel 12 and Axios, Trump presented a more restrained approach than the one attributed to him just a week ago, when he was reported to be close to ordering the renewal of a broad military operation against Iran.<\/p>

In the interview, Trump said that the United States is not currently conducting full negotiations with Iran, but is watching the country’s economic developments and believes the mounting pressure is having an impact: "We’re only half negotiating with them. We’re just watching Iran, with its massive inflation and the fact that it has no money."<\/p>

According to Trump, Iran’s economic situation continues to deteriorate, and he believes its financial difficulties are making it harder for the regime to fund its operations. Trump claimed that Iran is in "a very difficult economic situation" and even lacks the resources needed to pay its soldiers. He said the naval blockade imposed by the United States is also contributing to the deepening economic crisis in the country.<\/p>

Trump also addressed developments in the energy market. He noted that oil prices had fallen to just over $75 a barrel, which, he said, helps reduce the effects of the war on American consumers. In his view, the economic developments and ongoing pressure on Iran are part of a broader process that he believes will lead to the desired outcome without the need for another military move.<\/p>

During the conversation, Trump was also asked about the continued approach toward Tehran and replied: "It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game."<\/p>

According to Barak Ravid, Trump made no new threats during the conversation about renewing military activity against Iran. It was also noted that he did not express frustration over the delay in finalizing the agreement between Iran and Oman regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an issue that has been at the center of regional developments in recent weeks.<\/p>