Trump favors 'low-key' economic pressure on Iran

President Donald Trump is adopting a "low-key" strategy against Iran, emphasizing economic pressure and sanctions rather than direct diplomacy or military action. "We are low-keying it," Trump told Axios, adding that the U.S. is "semi-negotiating" and monitoring Iran's severe inflation and financial difficulties. He reiterated that while military strikes remain an option, the focus is on the economic damage inflicted by sanctions.

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We are low-keying it.

Trump asserted that Iran is "totally broke" and unable to pay its soldiers, citing inflation rates exceeding 300 percent. He also claimed the U.S. has "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil trade route and a point of geopolitical tension.

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We're only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money.

However, experts like Michael O'Hanlon from the Brookings Institution suggest that while Iran faces significant economic hardship, including difficulties shipping oil and accessing overseas assets, it's unclear how much its leaders are truly concerned. Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, called the renewed push for sanctions a "retreat" by the U.S., stating that Iran has endured such measures for decades and that sanctions often fail to yield results, leading to increased pressure.

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Iran is broke, totally broke and they're not paying their soldiers.

This strategic shift by Trump may also reflect limited military options for the U.S., with reports of depleted munitions stockpiles. The administration recently announced new measures targeting Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and advisors have presented data on the impact of sanctions, which Trump is reportedly considering tightening.

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Iran is in terrible shape economically. It can't ship oil at any meaningful level. And it still labors under sanctions and still can't access its overseas assets.