Trump Warns Iran: 'Can't Borrow Money', Military Action Possible
US President Donald Trump has accused Iran of being "devious negotiators" and said he is weighing two approaches in the ongoing conflict: letting Tehran struggle economically or launching a significant military strike. In an interview with Real America's Voice, Trump described his current strategy as "bopping along" while Iran faces severe financial problems.
"I'm sort of negotiating," Trump said. "They're very devious negotiators." Since the conflict began in late February, Trump has repeatedly oscillated between threats of escalation and claims that a peace deal is imminent. Pakistan said on Tuesday that the US and Iran were close to "some sort" of deal, and Qatar said talks on managing the Strait of Hormuz were at an advanced stage, despite reports of new attacks on shipping in regional waters.
Trump outlined one possible strategy: "Do what I'm doing now: just bop along and look how bad they're doing." He added, "Economically, they are a mess. They can't borrow money. We control their money, what they had, which is a lot. They had a lot, and we have total control of it. I'm their banker," referring to frozen Iranian assets. Another option, he said, would be to "hit them really, really hard."
The US has maintained sweeping economic sanctions on Iran for years, and the freezing of Iranian assets has been a central lever in Washington's attempts to pressure Tehran. However, Trump's claim that the US has "total control" of Iran's money is not independently verified, and experts note that Iran still has access to some funds through non-dollar channels.
Trump also dismissed concerns about depleted US military stockpiles, saying the country was "building them like crazy." He cast blame on his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. Reuters reported last week that the US Army has used up much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during the conflict, raising concerns about the military's readiness for future engagements.
"We're fine with munitions... But the reason it would be lower, and we're building them like crazy, but the reason it's low is because he (Biden) gave $300 billion worth to Ukraine," Trump said. The claim about the precise amount given to Ukraine remains a matter of debate, with official figures listing a much lower total in direct military aid. Nonetheless, the Biden administration did supply large quantities of ammunition to Ukraine during its war with Russia, which has contributed to strains on US reserves.
The interview reflects the continuing uncertainty over US policy towards Iran. While Trump has repeatedly signalled a willingness to negotiate, he has also kept the threat of military action on the table. Diplomatic efforts, reportedly facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, have yet to produce a formal agreement, and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense. Observers note that any major escalation could have severe consequences for global oil supplies and regional stability.
