Trump Signals Shift to Economic Pressure on Iran

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States is "low keying" its approach to Iran, signaling a shift toward economic pressure rather than immediate military escalation as negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz remain stalled. In an interview with Axios, Trump described the current strategy as "seminegotiating," stating that Washington is watching Iran struggle with severe inflation and a lack of funds. The comments come just one week after the president was reportedly considering a return to major combat operations.

Trump pointed to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade as a key factor intensifying Iran's economic crisis, noting that Tehran lacks the money to pay its troops. He expressed confidence that the situation would resolve favorably, comparing it to a chess game. The president also highlighted that oil prices have fallen to just above $75 a barrel, reducing the conflict's economic impact on American consumers. The shift in posture follows a pause in daily U.S. military strikes that had continued for about two weeks. Administration officials have indicated that the goal is now to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while maintaining pressure on Tehran....