U.S. Media: Trump Instructs Negotiation Team to Stop Contact with Iran
On August 18, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that U.S. President Trump has instructed his negotiating team to stop contact with Iran.
The report cited U.S. officials as saying that Trump is dissatisfied with Iran's unwillingness to meet his demands and hopes to resume contact only after Iranian leaders express a new willingness to reach the agreement he seeks.
The report suggests that, due to the deadlock in efforts to reopen dialogue and increasing skepticism about the conflict with Iran, Trump is signaling that he is prepared to "distance himself" from this conflict.
In addition, a knowledgeable source revealed that White House officials have recently told political allies that the U.S. is adjusting its strategy from the previous approach of "quickly crippling Iran" to "gradually strangling Iran."
On the 18th, Trump stated on social media that there will be no talks or dialogue with Iran now or in the future. Previously, Trump had insisted that the U.S. was negotiating with Iran, but this was repeatedly denied by Iranian officials.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin warned last week that unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran would be announced in the coming week, in conjunction with a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, "to prevent any goods from entering or leaving Iranian ports." U.S. Defense Secretary Esper also stated recently that the U.S. military has sufficient military power to "maintain" the maritime blockade against Iran "indefinitely."
U.S. President Trump directed his negotiation team to halt discussions with Iran, citing dissatisfaction with Iran's lack of compliance with U.S. demands. This shift indicates a strategic move away from immediate confrontation, with plans for unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran. U.S. military forces are prepared to enforce maritime blockades in the region.
- Trump instructed his negotiation team to stop engaging with Iran.
- Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's response to U.S. demands.
- The U.S. is shifting its strategy from immediate confrontation to a gradual approach against Iran.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary warned of unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran.
- U.S. Defense Secretary stated military forces are prepared to maintain maritime blockades against Iran.