US says no active talks with Iran as pressure shifts to economy

The White House said on Thursday that the United States is not currently engaged in active negotiations with Iran to end the war, which began on February 28. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that talks will not resume until President Donald Trump sees a serious willingness from Tehran. "No negotiations are taking place at this moment," she said, adding that Trump "keeps all options on the table" Source: El Caribe.

Shift to economic pressure

Washington is now focusing on economic measures. Leavitt said the goal is to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, citing "Operation Epic Fury" to destroy Iran's military and "Operation Economic Outcast" to target its economy Source: infobae. The Treasury Department announced a plan to sanction anyone trading with Iran, but has not yet imposed the sanctions Source: infobae. Trump told Al Jazeera he is in no hurry to resume talks, saying "We are winning by a large margin" Source: Diario Libre.

Disputes over the Strait of Hormuz

Leavitt claimed the naval blockade is effective and that the US essentially controls the Strait of Hormuz, which remains open. Iran rejects this, insisting on its authority over the strategic waterway Source: El Caribe. Trump said US forces have cleared mines from the strait and warned Iran against laying new ones Source: infobae.

Public opinion

Support for the war among Americans has fallen to 31%, according to an Ipsos/Reuters poll, down from 34% in early August and 37% in March Source: Diario Libre. Qatar's prime minister visited Tehran on Thursday in an attempt to revive diplomacy, but a June memorandum of understanding has been forgotten Source: infobae.