U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 11th (local time) regarding the U.S. strategy toward Iran that the options include maintaining economic pressure to let Iran collapse on its own or launching a powerful military strike.

In an interview with conservative media outlet "Real America's Voice" released that day, President Trump mentioned as one of the strategies toward Iran, "Doing what I'm doing right now: just sitting back and watching how terrible of a situation they are in."

He went on to claim, "Even if we just leave them alone, they will fail," pointing out that Iran is facing severe economic hardship with an inflation rate reaching 300% and a plunging currency value.

He also said, "We are controlling their funds," adding, "I am their banker."

President Trump then remarked, "I am sort of negotiating."

Criticizing Iran, he said, "They are very cunning negotiators. They agree to something and then go out and tell the media, 'We never did that.'"

President Trump also raised the possibility of additional military action, mentioning another option as "hitting them really, really hard."

Dismissing concerns over ammunition shortages, he said, "We are fine" and "We are manufacturing ammunition like crazy."

He further stated that the depletion of ammunition stockpiles was because former President Joe Biden provided 300 billion dollars worth of ammunition to Ukraine.

Since the Iran war began in late February, military clashes and diplomatic negotiations have repeated between the two countries, and the U.S. has recently been strengthening economic sanctions against Iran while attempting negotiations for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, stated that day that the U.S. and Iran are close to "some sort of agreement," and Qatar also assessed that negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz are at an advanced stage.

However, Iran has put forward conditions for reopening the strait, such as the lifting of the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran and compensation for war damages, while President Trump has also demanded compensation from Iran, leaving the prospect of a final agreement still unclear.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)