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AzerNEWS Staff

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US President Donald Trump has signalled that Washington is relying on mounting economic pressure on Iran rather than immediately launching a new military offensive, as tensions between the two countries remain high.

“We are low-keying it,” Trump told Axios in an interview, indicating that the US is taking a more restrained approach to its confrontation with Tehran.

Trump said Washington was “only semi-negotiating” with Iran while closely monitoring the country’s worsening economic situation.

“We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” he said.

The US president argued that Iran is in “very bad shape” financially and is struggling to pay its troops. He also said a US naval blockade had increased pressure on the Iranian government and contributed to the country’s economic difficulties.

Trump said the economic impact of the conflict on Americans had eased as oil prices fell to slightly above $75 a barrel.

“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” he said, describing Washington’s confrontation with Tehran.

Trump’s comments come as diplomatic efforts between the US and Iran remain stalled.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran and Washington are not engaged in negotiations and that Iran will not initiate talks while the US continues to breach an interim agreement reached in June.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also accused Washington of violating the June memorandum by pursuing alternative shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz instead of following procedures that were supposed to be agreed jointly by Iran and Oman.

On June 18, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding through Pakistani and Qatari mediation. The agreement ended active hostilities and paved the way for negotiations on a broader settlement.

Those talks subsequently stalled amid disagreements over maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for Gulf oil and gas exports.

The latest tensions follow a major escalation in the Middle East on February 28, when Israel and the US launched coordinated strikes on Iran targeting military, nuclear and energy infrastructure.

Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli and US targets across the region.

Trump’s latest remarks suggest that, for now, Washington may seek to use Iran’s economic vulnerabilities and pressure on its energy and maritime trade rather than immediately escalate military action.