Trump suggests relying on economic pressure on Iran

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has hinted that his country is ready to rely on increasing economic pressure on Iran, instead of immediately launching a new military operation.

"We're doing it in a way that's not too conspicuous," Trump told Axios.

Trump said Washington was only half-negotiating with Tehran, while closely monitoring Iran's deteriorating economic conditions.

"We are just watching Iran with very high inflation and the fact that they have no money," he said, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, August 10.

Trump argued that Iran was in a very bad financial condition and had difficulty paying the salaries of its soldiers.

According to him, the US-imposed naval blockade has increased pressure on the Iranian government and has also worsened the country's economic crisis.

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

"It will end well. It always ends well. It's like a chess game," Trump said of the confrontation with Tehran.

On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a framework agreement and began negotiations for a final agreement. However, the talks then stalled due to differences in views on security guarantees and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Last month, tensions escalated again when the United States launched an attack in Iranian territory.

In response, Tehran attacked what it called US military facilities and equipment in a number of Arab countries, especially Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.