Vahid Online in English

Automated AI translations of Vahid Online reporting. Exported from the Telegram Channel. Original content also available on X/Twitter.

← Back to latest feed

9 Aug 2026, 17:21

Trump to Axios: "We're handling the Iran situation quietly"

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, indicated on Sunday that he is prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to increase — rather than issuing orders for a new military strike — even as the country continues to defy the U.S.

Why it matters:
Just a week ago, Trump was on the verge of issuing orders to resume extensive combat operations. However, in his conversation with Axios, he did not raise any new military threats.

▪️ Trump also expressed no anger or dissatisfaction regarding Iran's delay in announcing an agreement with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, Iran presented a new list of demands for allowing ships to pass through the strait.

What Trump says:
In a brief phone call, Trump stated, "We're handling the situation quietly."

▪️ "We're just kind of negotiating with them half-heartedly. We're just watching Iran, with its massive inflation and the fact that it has no money."

▪️ He emphasized that Iran is in a "very bad economic situation" and has no money to pay its forces. Trump mentioned that the U.S. naval blockade has exacerbated the Iranian regime's economic crisis.

▪️ At the same time, Trump noted that with oil prices dropping to just over $75 a barrel, American consumers are feeling less pressure from the conflict.

▪️ Regarding the back-and-forth with Iran, Trump said, "It will work out. It always works out. It's like a game of chess."

The main news:
An agreement to regulate traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has been negotiated among Iran, Oman, and the U.S. and has been awaiting finalization for several days.

▪️ Under the new agreement, Iran will gain control over part of the traffic in the strait — something it did not have before the war.

▪️ Qatari and Pakistani mediators were confident that the agreement would be announced on Wednesday, but since then, its prospects have dimmed.

▪️ U.S. officials also say that internal divisions within the Iranian government are increasing. One faction, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, is deeply concerned about economic collapse and believes Iran should reach an agreement with the U.S. Another faction, led by Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, rejects any concessions.

Current situation:
Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, presented new conditions for reopening the strait on Saturday — in addition to the conditions that had been negotiated in the Oman agreement.

Zolqadr stated that for the strait to be reopened, the U.S. must:

▪️ "Never threaten or insult Iran in any language."

▪️ "End the war against Iran and Iran's allies in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Iraq forever."

▪️ Lift the naval blockade and withdraw military forces from around Iran.

▪️ He also called for full compensation for war damages, the lifting of all sanctions, and the release of all frozen Iranian assets.

▪️ Until a few weeks ago, these demands were prerequisites for reaching a nuclear agreement. Now Iran presents them merely as conditions for reopening the strait.

▪️ A diplomat from one of the mediating countries said Zolqadr's statement reflects the political struggle within the government.

Behind the scenes:
U.S. officials said Trump was inclined to resume extensive combat operations against Iran a week ago but was convinced to de-escalate tensions for now.

▪️ One official stated that continued conflict would allow the Iranian government to avoid facing the consequences of war, the damage to infrastructure, and the deep economic crisis that has arisen.

▪️ This U.S. official noted that when Iran is not engaged in war, it is forced to confront a harsh reality for which there is no real solution available.

▪️ At the same time, this U.S. official mentioned that about 8 million barrels of oil are being exported nightly from the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz with the coordination of the U.S. military. The U.S. intends to continue efforts to export more oil from the region until an agreement is reached.

A topic to watch:
JD Vance, the Vice President, said on Fox News on Saturday: "This situation is not over. It is clear that we are no longer at the beginning. We are in the middle of the game and are employing a full set of tools — diplomatic, economic, and military — to ensure we achieve the best outcome for the American people."
axios

📡 @VahidOnline

Mapped locations (8)

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors