US President Donald Trump believes that Iran is interested in reaching an agreement with Washington, but is not yet ready to take the right steps toward that end. He told reporters before departing on Air Force One for South Carolina, adding that while Tehran would very much like to strike a deal, in his assessment the timing is still not right.
The White House chief also made clear that the US is not limiting its possible moves in the region to diplomatic channels alone, and that this simply means they are monitoring developments. According to him, Iran today faces serious economic and military challenges, including due to high inflation and problems with funding for the army and police.
Additionally, Trump stated that the United States has full control over the Strait of Hormuz and the entire surrounding land area, which could have strategic significance in the context of any possible developments with Iran.
Trump's remarks are also notable in that he openly speaks about Iran's internal difficulties—from inflation to military funding—which is rare in such high-level discussions. US presidents are usually more restrained when commenting on the internal affairs of an adversary country, so this could indicate that there is a mood in Washington to continue pressure on Tehran.
At the same time, the emphasis on control of the Strait of Hormuz is no coincidence; the waterway is one of the most critical chokepoints for global oil shipments, and any military escalation there would have a direct impact on world markets. The question of whether Iran will be able to overcome its internal problems and reach an agreement remains open, but Trump's signals suggest that the US is also preparing alternative scenarios.
