Donald Trump: "we are only semi-negotiating"

President Donald Trump described US-Iranian negotiations as limited in a Sunday phone call with Axios, saying he is prepared to intensify economic pressure rather than order a new military offensive and claiming Iran’s economy is struggling. The remarks came as Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that talks with Oman on a temporary Strait of Hormuz route are continuing, with payment for maritime services to be settled later. Baghaei said Iran is not negotiating with Washington but exchanges messages through mediators, and he attributed the waterway’s closure to US and Israeli armed actions against Iran. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Saturday, per IRNA, that Iran and Oman are close to an agreement. The talks aim to ensure safe shipping and address environmental concerns; a traffic accord involving Iran, Oman and the US has reportedly been pending.