WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said the United States is taking a cautious approach to Iran and is prioritizing economic pressure instead of military action.
According to foreign news agencies, President Trump stated that inflation in Iran is extremely high and Tehran is facing a shortage of financial resources. He added that Iran does not even have enough money to pay its military salaries.
Trump said the US is currently engaged in only limited talks with Iran. He compared the ongoing standoff between the two countries to a game of chess.
He added that every step regarding Iran is being taken carefully, and for now US policy is focused on maintaining economic pressure on Tehran rather than pursuing military action. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there will be no direct talks with the US until Washington stops violating the interim agreement reached in June.
Araghchi said there are currently no direct negotiations between Iran and the US, but messages are being exchanged through intermediaries. He also spoke about the Strait of Hormuz, saying that an agreement between Tehran and Muscat is in its final stages. However, he noted that even with the agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will not be immediately reopened for maritime traffic.
Read also: US Think Tank Exposes Corruption Scandal Under Afghan Taliban Rule
