Trump says U.S. is ‘only semi-negotiating’ with Tehran as pressure campaign continues
By SCN News Desk
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (SCN NEWS) — President Donald Trump said the United States is only “semi-negotiating” with Iran and is deliberately keeping talks limited for now, signaling that Washington is relying more heavily on economic pressure even as military operations and sanctions continue.
In an interview with Axios, Trump said his administration was “low keying it” with Tehran and was not aggressively pursuing a new diplomatic breakthrough at this stage. Reuters reported that the president emphasized Iran’s worsening economic conditions and suggested Washington sees financial pressure as an important source of leverage.
Trump’s comments mark a more restrained tone after several days in which he alternated between threatening renewed military escalation and saying talks with Tehran were progressing. Earlier this month, he said U.S.-Iran discussions had lasted all day and warned Iran could be hit “really hard” if diplomacy failed.
Tehran, however, has repeatedly disputed Trump’s characterization of direct negotiations. Iranian officials say much of the communication has been indirect and routed through intermediaries rather than formal bilateral talks.
Hormuz remains central to dispute
The limited negotiations come as Iran and Oman work on a maritime arrangement intended to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes.
Iran says the Oman framework is in its final stages but insists the strait will not fully reopen unless Washington meets a series of conditions, including sanctions relief, compensation for U.S. strikes and an end to what Tehran describes as military threats and restrictions on Iranian ports.
The United States has not publicly accepted those demands.
Trump has previously said he expects a Hormuz agreement soon, but U.S. officials have also made clear they oppose any arrangement that would give Iran unilateral control over access to the waterway.
Trump emphasizes economic strain
Trump’s latest comments suggest the White House believes Iran’s economic problems may give Washington greater leverage than immediate military escalation.
Reuters said Trump pointed to inflation and broader financial distress inside Iran while explaining why the administration is taking a lower-key approach for now.
That does not mean military pressure has ended. U.S. forces remain active in the region, and Trump has repeatedly warned that strikes could resume if Tehran rejects a deal acceptable to Washington.
But the president’s remarks indicate the administration is, at least temporarily, putting greater emphasis on sanctions, economic isolation and indirect diplomacy.
No clear breakthrough yet
Despite intermittent signs of progress, Washington and Tehran remain far apart on major issues.
Iran wants sanctions relief and compensation tied to the war, while the United States is pressing for broader security concessions and guarantees over regional behavior and freedom of navigation.
The gap explains why Trump’s description of the process as “semi-negotiating” may be more accurate than earlier claims that a comprehensive deal was close.
For now, neither side appears prepared to fully abandon diplomacy, but neither has accepted the other’s core conditions.