Trump says the US not talking with Iran as economic war in focus

President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the United States is not engaging in dialogue with Iran, as Washington is currently focused on imposing economic sanctions on Tehran. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, "We don't want to speak to them. We're not looking to meet or anything." The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, earlier in the day, announced that the U.S. economic campaign against Iran would persist until the Islamic Republic shows a willingness to negotiate meaningfully.

Leavitt stated, "Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy." She added, "No negotiations are happening right now, and this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way..." Trump has not ruled out the use of all available options, including military force. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had warned countries on Monday to sever their financial ties with Iran, or face secondary sanctions as part of what has been dubbed "Economic D-Day," but the Treasury Department refrained from implementing the penalties at that time.