US President Donald Trump has said Washington is taking a “low-key” approach towards Iran and is not currently considering a fresh military offensive, as tensions continue over the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations to reopen the key oil route remain stalled.

Trump said the United States was only “semi-negotiating” with Tehran while closely monitoring its economic situation. His remarks came as Iran has reportedly demanded the lifting of a US naval blockade and the withdrawal of American forces stationed near the country as conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.

Trump Says US Monitoring Iran’s Economy

Speaking on Sunday, Trump told Axios that the United States was deliberately maintaining a restrained approach towards Iran.

“We are low keying it,” Trump said, according to Axios.

He added that Washington was only “semi-negotiating” with Tehran and was watching what he described as Iran’s worsening economic conditions.

“We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money,” Trump said.

Trump claimed that Iran was in “very bad shape” economically and did not have sufficient funds to pay its troops. He also said the US naval blockade had added to the Iranian government’s economic difficulties.

Strait of Hormuz Talks Remain Stalled

Trump’s comments come amid continuing uncertainty over efforts involving Iran, Oman and the United States to restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes.

Tehran has reportedly put forward new conditions for reopening the waterway, including the removal of the US naval blockade and the withdrawal of American forces deployed near Iran.

The standoff has kept the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of international concerns over energy supplies and regional security.

Trump, however, pointed to falling oil prices as a factor limiting the impact of the conflict on American consumers. Oil prices have fallen to slightly above USD 75 per barrel.

“It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game,” Trump said, according to Axios.

US Orders Faster Weapons Production

The developments come as the US Defence Department has separately moved to address concerns over shortages of critical munitions linked to the war with Iran.

According to The Washington Post, citing a departmental memo, the Pentagon has asked US defence contractors to urgently increase weapons production and accelerate deliveries.

Deputy Defence Secretary Steve Feinberg told industry leaders on Wednesday that they had 21 days to submit plans for “significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities”.

The directive reflects growing concerns within the US defence establishment over the availability of key weapons and ammunition as the conflict with Iran continues.

Iran Says No Direct Talks With Washington

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is not currently engaged in direct negotiations with Washington.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said Iran was instead communicating with the United States through intermediaries while efforts continued to create conditions for formal negotiations.

“There are efforts underway to create grounds for negotiations,” Araghchi said.

His comments come as diplomatic efforts involving Iran, Oman and the United States remain focused on the Strait of Hormuz, with the waterway’s reopening closely tied to wider negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

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