▲ U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 9th (local time) regarding the Iran issue, "We are low keying it."
Axios reported that President Trump made the remark during a phone call with the U.S. online media outlet earlier in the day, adding, "We are only semi-negotiating with them."
President Trump also stated, "We are just watching the situation in Iran, which is suffering from massive inflation and has no money," noting that Iran is in a "very difficult" economic situation.
He further claimed that Iran lacks the funds to pay its soldiers and that the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran has worsened the regime's economic crisis.
Axios reported that President Trump also mentioned that crude oil prices have fallen to just over $75 a barrel, making U.S. consumers feel less of a burden from the war.
Regarding the ongoing tug-of-war in negotiations with Iran, President Trump said, "It will all work out. It always works out. It's like a chess game."
President Trump did not mention any new U.S. military threats against Iran during the call.
Axios also reported that he did not express anger or frustration over Iran delaying the announcement of an agreement with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Axios reported, "Even though Iran continues to reject U.S. demands, President Trump signaled that he is prepared to step up economic pressure on Iran rather than order new military strikes."
President Trump announced on the night of the 1st that he had called off a massive attack on Iran at the request of a Middle Eastern nation, while urging a swift agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Since then, there had been speculation that negotiations between Iran and Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz were nearing an agreement, but the prospect of a deal has become uncertain again as Iran recently presented new demands to the United States.
Mohammad Bagher Zolqadr, secretary-general of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), released a statement the previous day outlining six demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including the lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran, the withdrawal of troops from areas surrounding Iran, and compensation for war damages.
This is a much more hardline stance than the previous interim memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities agreed upon by the United States and Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in Tehran on the same day that while mediators are working to lay the groundwork for negotiations, "There is no possibility of talks resuming until the United States stops violating the MOU and compensates for its violations."
President Trump's remarks on this day are interpreted as signaling that he will keep the door open for negotiations for now and monitor the situation despite Iran's hardline additional demands.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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