President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is in no rush to reopen negotiations with Iran and has set no timetable for bringing the ongoing conflict to an end, arguing that both military and economic pressure on Tehran have been effective.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, Trump said he was “not in a hurry” to return to the negotiating table with the Iranian regime and made clear that he is operating without a deadline. “I have no time schedule, none.” The president added that economic measures and military operations against Iran had been “both effective.”
Trump painted a bleak picture of conditions inside Iran, pointing to “massive inflation” and declaring that the Iranian economy was “falling apart.” He also sharply criticized the regime’s treatment of its own population, accusing Iranian authorities of “treating their people very badly, they are killing many, many protesters.”
In a separate appearance Wednesday on The Glenn Beck Program, Trump discussed conflicting reports surrounding the condition of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The president said he believes Khamenei remains alive, although he indicated that the Iranian leader sustained severe wounds.
“I don’t think he’s dead. He was very seriously wounded,” Trump said. “The left side of his body, the arm, the leg, the whole thing, he was very seriously wounded. But I don’t think he’s dead.”
According to Trump, Iranian officials have continued to conduct themselves publicly as though Khamenei remains involved in the regime’s decision-making process, including seeking his approval on important matters.
“And if he is, they’re putting on a pretty good show because they talk about, you know, going back to talk to him all the time, you know, to get a final blessing on things,” the President said.
Trump also expressed skepticism about whether any agreement ultimately reached with Tehran could be trusted, questioning the reliability of the Iranian leadership when it comes to honoring its commitments.
“You make a deal with them. It’s like not the most honorable group. I will tell you that,” he said.
Talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at reaching a permanent agreement remain at an impasse. Although American military strikes against Iran continued until recently, the Trump administration has also intensified its economic campaign against the Islamic Republic. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast,” on Monday, a sweeping effort aimed at further isolating Tehran and choking off sources of revenue used to sustain the regime.
While US military operations are currently on hold, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized Monday that the administration has not ruled out renewed strikes if circumstances warrant them.
“By no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran,” Hegseth told reporters.
Hegseth also maintained that Iran is not capable of enduring the level of economic pressure now being brought to bear by the United States.
{Matzav.com}
