U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that the U.S. is not engaging in talks with Iran, as Washington has focused on punishing Tehran economically, having pledged to impose sanctions on countries that engage in financial transactions with the Islamic Republic.
“We don’t want to talk to them. We’re not looking to meet or anything,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
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Earlier today, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that the U.S. economic campaign will continue until Iran decides to engage in meaningful negotiations.
“Now, we have Operation Economic Pariah to destroy their economy,” Levitt noted in remarks on the “Fox & Friends” program.
“No negotiations are taking place at this time, and that will continue until the president feels that they might be coming to the table in a meaningful way… He, of course, continues to keep all options on the table.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries on Monday to sever their economic ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions.
When asked today whether he would punish Russia for continuing to trade with Iran, Donald Trump replied:
“It depends. So far, I believe Russia has behaved very well with regard to the Strait of Hormuz, and you have to understand: whatever they do, we do as well. You know, someone was talking about China. What about China? We hear they’re spying. We’re spying on them, too.”
Then, when asked if he would impose sanctions on Chinese banks because they conduct financial transactions with Iran, the U.S. president replied: “Who said I’m not doing that? You don’t know if I am… I don’t have to announce everything, do I?”
Source: CNA
