IRAN ~ With the Strait of Hormuz still closed and oil prices rising, President Donald Trump has openly shifted the U.S. strategy to applying economic pressure on Iran.
He told Axios over the weekend that the U.S. is now only “semi-negotiating” with Iran, and is letting inflation and the U.S. naval blockade on Iran mount an economic burden on the nation. Iran has refused to reopen the waterway unless the U.S. meets key demands, including lifting the blockade and payment for damages in Iran caused by the war.
Iran continues to negotiate with Oman over creating a temporary shipping route through the Strait that is vital to the global oil trade. However, Iran has maintained that there are no ongoing direct negotiations with the U.S.
