Trump: Iran Eager for Deal, U.S. Controls Hormuz; New Sanctions Loom

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran is eager for a deal but has not yet met the necessary conditions for an agreement. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated, "They (Iran) desperately want to make a deal, but in my opinion, they are not yet ready to make the right deal." He also asserted U.S. dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent regions.

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They (Iran) desperately want to make a deal, but in my opinion, they are not yet ready to make the right deal.

Trump criticized Iran's current financial and military standing, emphasizing U.S. control. "Iran has no money, no navy, no air force, and cannot even pay salaries to its soldiers and police," he claimed, pointing to an inflation rate of 350%. He further stated, "We have complete control of the Strait of Hormuz and the entire surrounding area, including deep inland."

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Iran has no money, no navy, no air force, and cannot even pay salaries to its soldiers and police. The inflation rate is 350%.

The U.S. and Iran had previously agreed to a ceasefire in early April after engaging in conflict since late February. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed in mid-June concerning regional ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, disagreements over control of the vital waterway, which handles about 20% of global oil and LNG sea trade, persisted. Renewed military clashes in July effectively nullified the MOU, escalating tensions and a stalemate between the two nations.

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We have complete control of the Strait of Hormuz and the entire surrounding area, including deep inland.

New economic sanctions against Iran are anticipated as early as August 24. These sanctions are expected to pressure third countries trading with Iran to join the U.S. policy of isolating the nation. Trump had previously declared on social media, "Any nation that allows financial institutions, companies, airports, or government agencies to provide any form of lifeline to Iran will face severe economic consequences." He described the upcoming measures as "the strongest economic operation ever taken against any country. It is an economic war and isolation operation of unprecedented scale."

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Any nation that allows financial institutions, companies, airports, or government agencies to provide any form of lifeline to Iran will face severe economic consequences. Today, I am declaring the strongest economic operation ever taken against any country. It is an economic war and isolation operation of unprecedented scale.