Trump: We control Iran's funds entirely, and I am the one managing their banking affairs - Sarmad

(Royters) – US President Donald Trump accused Iranians of being “deceitful negotiators,” stating in an interview published late Monday that some of the options available to him include “waiting it out” and letting Tehran’s economy collapse or striking it “with very great force.”

Trump added in a phone interview with “Real America’s Voice,” “I am negotiating somewhat… They are extremely deceitful negotiators.”

Since the conflict erupted in late February, Trump’s stance has oscillated between threats of escalation and assertions that a peace agreement is imminent.

Pakistan announced on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are on the verge of reaching “some kind” of agreement, while Qatar said talks on managing the Strait of Hormuz have reached an advanced stage, despite reports of two new attacks on ships in the region.

Describing one of his potential strategies, Trump said, “I continue doing what I’m doing now: waiting it out and seeing how bad their situation gets.”

Referring to frozen Iranian assets, Trump said, “Economically, they are in a catastrophic situation. They cannot borrow money. We control their money, whatever they had, which was a large amount. They had huge sums of money, and we have full control over it. I am the one managing their banking affairs.”

Trump added that the other option is to “hit them with force, with very great force.”

Trump also downplayed concerns about ammunition shortages, saying the United States is “making it like crazy” and blaming his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.

Reuters reported last week that the US military had depleted a significant portion of its stockpile of high-precision long-range missiles during the war, raising concerns about the military’s readiness for future conflicts.

Trump said, “We have no problem regarding ammunition… But the reason their levels have dropped, even though we are making it like crazy, is that (Biden) provided Ukraine with $300 billion worth of ammunition.”