Trump Says He Is in No Rush to Resume Iran War as Pressure Bites Tehran

President Donald Trump says he is in no hurry to resume the Iran war as U.S. economic pressure hurts Tehran. “We are paralyzing their economy,” he told Israel’s Channel 12. “They have no money, they have no fuel, and their people are very tired of the situation.”

N12 published the remarks on Monday in a report by Barak Ravid, at 20:14 Israel time. The quotes in this article are English renderings of comments reported in Hebrew.

Pressure on Iran’s Economy

Trump said Iran’s leaders lack the urgency he had expected. Even so, he said, “they want a deal more than at any point since the beginning of the war.”

The U.S. currently maintains a naval blockade and economic sanctions on Iran. The war began in February 2026 with U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Talks, and Doubts Over Who Decides

The talks are mediated by Qatar, N12 said. Trump said the process was moving forward but voiced doubt about his counterparts.

“We are talking to them. It is progressing well,” he said. “The problem is that we are not sure who is making the decisions, and we don’t want them to try to string us along once again.”

Over the weekend, Trump said Iran would either make a deal or the U.S. would end it. He added that “at some point, we’re going to have to give them the hammer.”

A Divided Washington

The following points come from Channel 12, not from Trump. The channel said he wants the negotiations to run their course and does not want Israel to interfere.

His advisers are split among three options. Some advisers and most Gulf leaders favor a deal, arguing another strike would change little. Others want the war resumed to complete its military objectives.

A third group, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urges keeping the blockade and sanctions and waiting weeks or months. Trump has not made a final decision, the channel said.

Netanyahu Call and Pressure for Strikes

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone about Iran on Saturday. Axios reported that Netanyahu urged Trump to strike after the U.S. midterms on November 3.

Trump publicly described the call as a very good talk. N12 said Netanyahu is worried about the talks.

Signals From Tehran

Iran sent its own signals on Monday. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz are feasible if the U.S. shows goodwill.

President Masoud Pezeshkian said the Supreme Leader had granted the government certain authorities for the talks.