Trump: America is not negotiating with Iran and is focusing on the economic war - Sarmad
(Royters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States is not holding talks with Iran and is focusing on economically punishing the country, pledging to sanction nations that maintain trade ties with the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, he added, “We don’t want to talk to them. We are not seeking a meeting or anything like that.”
Earlier in the day, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the United States and Iran are not currently engaged in any talks to end the war, noting that all options remain “on the table.”
In comments to Fox News’ “Fox & Friends,” she said, “President (Donald) Trump’s primary objective is to ensure that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, and that will remain the case… Therefore, we carried out the ‘Epic Fury’ operation to destroy their military. And now we have an operation… to destroy their economy.”
She added, “There are no negotiations at this time, and this situation will continue until the President feels that they are willing to sit at the negotiating table with the aim of reaching results. We have not seen that yet. Of course, he still retains all options, and the naval blockade remains in effect as well.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday that countries would face sanctions if they do not cut their financial ties with Iran, as part of what he described as “Economic Victory Day,” although the Treasury Department had not actually imposed any sanctions.
When asked whether he would punish Russia for continuing commercial dealings with Iran, Trump said, “I think Russia has behaved well so far regarding the Strait of Hormuz, and you should know that for every action they take, we take one as well… There was talk about China. What about China? We hear that they are spying on us. We are spying on them too.”
In response to a question about whether he would impose sanctions on Chinese banks for their dealings with Iran, he said, “Who said I wouldn’t? You don’t know whether I’m doing it… I’m not obligated to announce everything, am I?”
The Prime Minister of Qatar visited Tehran today in an effort to revive diplomatic dialogue following a series of accusations between the United States and Iran over Washington’s pledge to escalate economic pressure, a move described by an Iranian official as a “comprehensive economic war.”
