Trump Claims Iran Seeks US Deal Amid Economic Sanctions Over Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran expresses a desire for a bilateral agreement with the United States but remains unwilling to negotiate terms he considers appropriate during a press briefing on Friday.
During the session, Trump emphasized US dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, stating the nation exerts complete authority across all matters related to the strategic waterway. He clarified that the implementation of severe economic sanctions against Iran reflects policy choices rather than predetermined military limitations.
These remarks follow the administration’s recent announcement of unprecedented economic warfare targeting Tehran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledging to enact measures described as historically unprecedented in restrictions.
“They’re not paying their soldiers, they’re not paying their police. They have 350% inflation,” Trump stated regarding Iran’s economic distress.
Iranian government-affiliated media outlets promptly denounced Trump’s figures, with several state-backed platforms dismissing the inflation rate as an unsubstantiated claim incompatible with empirical economic data.