Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Trump says US 'low-keying' standoff with Iran, like chess
The United States and Iran are having a big disagreement, and right now they are not fighting a full war.
The American president, Donald Trump, told a news website called Axios that the US is using money and words instead of bombs.
He said the US is 'low-keying' it, which means keeping things calm on purpose.
Trump said Iran is having money problems, with prices going up and not enough money to pay its soldiers.
He compared the talks to a chess game, where each side moves carefully and waits to see what the other side does.
Last week, Trump almost started a big military fight, but his advisors convinced him to wait.
Iran says it will not open an important shipping path called the Strait of Hormuz unless the US meets many conditions.
Iran wants the US to stop the war, lift the naval blockade, remove sanctions, and give back frozen money.
The countries are also working with Oman on an agreement to manage traffic in that shipping path.
For now, people hope the two sides can solve their problems without a war.
President Donald Trump told Axios on Sunday that the US is 'low-keying' the standoff with Iran, prioritizing economic and diplomatic pressure over renewed military conflict.
Trump likened the back-and-forth with Iran to a 'chess game' and said the US is 'only semi-negotiating', adding 'It will work out.'
Trump claimed Iran is in 'very bad shape' with huge inflation and no money to pay its troops, and that the US naval blockade has deepened the economic crisis.
Axios reported Trump was close to ordering a return to major combat operations last week but advisers persuaded him to pursue a less confrontational course for now.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr demanded a permanent end to the war, lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions, compensation, and release of frozen funds as conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, and Iran's Supreme National Security Council head Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr
- What
- The US-Iran standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with the US 'low-keying' the confrontation through economic and diplomatic pressure while Iran sets conditions for reopening the strait
- When
- Trump's remarks were made on Sunday; Iran's fresh conditions were laid out on Saturday; the war began on February 28
- Where
- The United States, Iran and Oman, centered on the Strait of Hormuz
- Why
- Iran faces severe economic strain from inflation, sanctions and the US naval blockade, while the US seeks to protect its interests and end the war without returning to major combat
US position
Iranian position
Negotiations
US position
The US says it is 'only semi-negotiating' with Iran, with indirect discussions underway, including with Oman toward an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian position
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi says there are no direct negotiations with the US and none are likely unless the US ceases its violence.
Strait of Hormuz reopening
US position
The US believes economic pressure 'will work out' and supports an agreement in which Iran has partial control of strait traffic.
Iranian position
Iran says reopening the strait depends on conditions including a permanent end to the war against Iran and its allies, full compensation for war damages, lifting of sanctions and release of frozen funds.
Iranian leadership outlook
US position
US officials believe pragmatists around President Pezeshkian are pushing diplomacy and worried about an economic collapse.
Iranian position
Hardline elements around Supreme Leader Khamenei and the security establishment appear more resistant to concessions, though Iran's official position remains united.
- US strategy
- Economic and diplomatic pressure; Trump says the US is 'low-keying' the confrontation
- Trump's framing
- Called the standoff a 'chess game'; said the US is 'only semi-negotiating'
- Oil price
- Slightly over $75 a barrel
- Iran's conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz
- Permanent end to the war against Iran and its allies, lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions, full compensation for war damages, release of frozen funds
- Mediation
- Oman; US, Iran and Oman working on an agreement giving Iran partial control of strait traffic
- Iranian leadership
- US claims pragmatists around President Pezeshkian favor diplomacy while hardliners around Supreme Leader Khamenei resist concessions; official position remains united
- Recent shift
- Trump was close to ordering major combat operations last week but advisers urged a less confrontational course
- War timeline
- War started February 28 along with Israel; US-Iran memorandum of understanding was signed in June
