Trump Says U.s. Is Negotiating With Iran Quietly, a Shift From Prior Stance

U.S. President Donald Trump said his administration is now conducting negotiations with Iran "quietly, a shift from his previous approach. In an interview with Axios, Trump said, "We're moving it along quietly, when asked about the status of talks with Tehran. The president said the U.S. is only in "half-negotiation" with Iran, adding, "We're just watching Iran, its high inflation and its lack of money.

Trump claimed Iran's economy is in "very bad shape" and that Tehran lacks funds to pay its soldiers' salaries, asserting that the U.S. naval blockade has worsened the regime's economic crisis. The 80-year-old president also addressed the verbal sparring between the two countries, saying, "Things will work out, they always do. It's like a chess game.

U.S. media had reported that until about a week ago Trump intended to continue strikes on Iran but abandoned that plan after learning from the American military that certain advanced missile stockpiles had been significantly depleted. Observers also noted Trump has been more cautious in his rhetoric toward Iran over the past week.