President Donald Trump is in no rush to see Iran back at the negotiating table. In fact, he says he doesn’t have a timetable at all. “I’m not in a hurry. I have no time schedule at all…whatever it takes,” Trump told Al Jazeera on Wednesday. And his reasoning? “We are winning very big.”
Trump’s comments came in response to a question about how long he’d give Iran to return to talks. He pointed to the economic strain Tehran is under, citing “massive inflation” and a deteriorating economy. He also accused Iran of mistreating its own people and causing numerous protester deaths.
When asked whether economic measures or military strikes are more effective, Trump said, “I think they are both effective.”
The remarks land just ahead of the six-month anniversary of the U.S.-Israeli military conflict with Iran, which falls on Friday. On Monday, Trump declared an “economic D-Day” against Iran, aiming to further cripple its already sanction-hit economy. Despite growing frustration with Tehran, he’s held back from full-scale war.
Iran isn’t taking the pressure quietly. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused the U.S. of “annihilating” international law and engaging in “systemic bullying.”
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is visiting Iran on Thursday to try to de-escalate tensions between Tehran and Washington and help create conditions for dialogue. The visit comes after another oil tanker was reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about navigation through that critical energy corridor. Qatar has also called for freedom of navigation and a return to the pre-February 28 status quo.
But not everyone is optimistic about diplomacy. Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed skepticism about a potential deal with Iran, referring to Iranian leaders as “savages.” Netanyahu backed Trump’s economic pressure campaign and said he’d discussed a “third option” with Trump, praising the president’s “very, very, very strong” approach, according to Arab News. “I tell you — an agreement cannot be reached,” Netanyahu said.
So, where does that leave things? Trump is content to wait, Iran is pushing back, Qatar is trying to mediate, and Israel is doubtful. The conflict drags on, and the world watches to see if economic pressure alone will be enough—or if something more dramatic is on the horizon.
