US President Donald Trump stated that Iran is not yet prepared to engage in what he considers to be an acceptable agreement. This remark coincides with Washington's impending announcement of unprecedented economic sanctions aimed at intensifying pressure on Tehran, nearly six months into the ongoing conflict.
During a press briefing on Friday, when questioned about the limitations of US military options regarding Iran, Trump remarked, "It just means that we're seeing what happens." He further emphasized, "We have total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz, and that means well into it, the land areas," he said. "So, they would love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion."
The comments were made as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that details regarding new financial penalties against Iran would be disclosed on Monday. Trump had previously cautioned that there would be economic repercussions for any nation providing "any type of lifeline" to Tehran.
In response, Iran's chief of staff, Major General Ali Abdollahi, issued a warning that any new threats from the US would elicit a wide-ranging and "devastating" response. Abdollahi stated, "With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defense, and cyberspace, Iran's armed forces will respond to the enemy's new threats with crushing, punishing, and devastating countermeasures," as reported by Iranian media.
Bessent shared with CNBC that Washington is preparing to implement sanctions that could be deemed the most stringent in history, asserting, "We are going to collapse this regime." Meanwhile, Iran's leadership has sought to maintain an air of confidence despite the escalating pressure on an already challenged economy, which has been affected by decades of sanctions, high inflation, currency depreciation, energy shortages, and damage to infrastructure resulting from the ongoing conflict.
