Trump Said Those Economic Factors, and Washington's Posture Surrounding Hormuz, Have Made Tehran More Willing to Make an Agreement in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is closely watching developments in Iran, claiming the United States has gained broad authority throughout the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent areas as pressure rises on Tehran to strike an agreement. Trump told reporters Saturday morning that Iranian officials are willing to reach a deal with Washington but have not accepted parameters he finds acceptable. Trump downplayed the idea that the United States had limited military choices against Iran, saying Washington was merely watching events play out.

He said the United States has "total control" over the area around the Strait of Hormuz, including "large portions of land. The president also characterized Iran as grappling with increasing financial challenges, saying Tehran is having trouble funding state institutions and paying its police and military forces personnel. Trump said those economic factors, and Washington's posture surrounding Hormuz, have made Tehran more willing to make an agreement.

But he said Iran has not yet offered what his government deems an acceptable arrangement. Tehran claims it is negotiating from a position of power. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran had entered talks over a memorandum of understanding from a position of strength and would continue to defend Iranian interests and rights throughout negotiations over the country's nuclear program.

The remarks come as tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated, with the United States ratcheting up economic pressure on Iran while leaving the door open to additional military action. Despite the heated rhetoric, both parties are still signaling that diplomacy remains viable, albeit big differences seem to linger on the terms of any prospective accord. Trump also said on social media: "We have total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz. That means well into it, the land areas.