Trump opts for low-key Iran strategy as pressure mounts

Donald Trump has shifted his approach to the Iran conflict, opting for a low-key strategy focused on economic pressure rather than diplomacy or military strikes. The American president stated this preference in an interview with Axios. Trump claimed Iran is experiencing inflation exceeding 300 percent and lacks the ability to pay its soldiers.

He also asserts that the United States has "total control" of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil trade, which has become a focal point of the ongoing conflict. However, Iran has dismissed Trump's claim of the US controlling the Strait.

The White House has recently intensified economic sanctions on Iran, targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's advisors are considering tightening these sanctions. Despite his earlier threats of devastating strikes, Trump has now muted these claims and is focusing on his economic pressure tactic.

This shift may indicate the limited military options available to the United States, with depleted munitions stockpiles reportedly being a concern. However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman called the recent push for sanctions a "retreat," noting that the country has been resilient against US sanctions for decades.