WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is only “semi-negotiating” with Iran, signaling that Washington is relying on economic pressure on Tehran while holding off on a new major military offensive.
“We are only semi-negotiating with them,” Trump said in a brief phone interview with Axios, adding that Washington was watching Iran’s inflation and financial difficulties. He said the United States was “low-keying” its approach.
Trump’s comments came as efforts to reach an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz appeared to stall. Iran has said the United States must meet several conditions, including lifting a naval blockade, ending military action and sanctions, and providing compensation for war damage, before the key waterway can fully reopen.
Trump separately said he was demanding compensation from Iran for people he said had been killed or wounded in conflicts and attacks. Reuters reported that the demand was new and had not previously been raised by Washington in negotiations or public statements.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said talks with Oman on arrangements for navigation through the strait were progressing, with a shipping-route map agreed but some technical issues unresolved, according to Reuters.
The Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route, has remained effectively blocked amid the conflict. The status of negotiations and arrangements for reopening the waterway remained unresolved as of Monday.
