Trump Favors Economic Pressure Over New Iran War
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington is now handling Iran “quietly” and appears more inclined to intensify economic pressure than to restart a large-scale military campaign. He said the United States and Iran are in what he called a “half-negotiation” phase, with Washington watching developments as Iran faces severe inflation and funding shortages.
Key Points
- In a phone interview with Axios on Sunday the 9th, Trump said the US approach to Iran is currently being handled in a low-key manner.
- Trump said Washington is leaning toward continued economic pressure rather than an immediate new military offensive, a softer stance than a week earlier.
- He described US-Iran contacts as a “half-negotiation” and said the US is observing Iran, which he said faces severe inflation and cash shortages.
- Trump said Iran’s economy is in very bad shape, even struggling to pay soldiers, while a US maritime blockade is worsening the crisis.
- US officials cited by Sing Tao said about 8 million barrels of oil move nightly through the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz with US military support.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the immediate issue is whether lower-intensity US-Iran confrontation helps keep oil prices from spiking again after Trump noted prices had eased to a little above US$75 a barrel. A shift from open warfare to pressure and bargaining could reduce short-term market volatility, but the unresolved standoff still leaves energy and shipping risks in focus.