Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Trump Says U.S. 'Low-Keying It' With Iran, Stresses Economic Pain
President Donald Trump is in charge of the United States.
He talked about a country called Iran.
Trump said the United States is 'low keying it' with Iran, which means the U.S. is not pushing very hard right now.
He said the two countries are only 'semi-negotiating,' or doing a little bit of talking.
For many months, the U.S. has used strong actions against Iran, like military strikes, sanctions, and a blockade.
Sanctions are rules that can stop a country from trading and getting money.
Trump says Iran is having a hard time because prices there are going up very fast and the country has no money.
About one week before, Trump almost ordered more military strikes, but he changed his mind.
Iran's foreign minister says Iran and the U.S. are not talking directly, but messages pass through other countries.
Iran is almost ready to make a deal with Oman about ships using a very important waterway, but it wants the U.S. to do more things first.
President Donald Trump said the United States is 'low keying it' with Iran and only 'semi-negotiating,' according to an Axios phone interview reported by Reuters.
Trump said the administration is letting economic pressure mount, citing Iran's 'huge inflation' and the fact that the country has 'no money.'
The remarks came about a week after Trump was reportedly close to ordering a resumption of major combat operations against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Iran is not holding direct negotiations with the United States, with messages exchanged through intermediaries.
Iran said it is close to an agreement with Oman on managing Strait of Hormuz traffic, but the waterway will not reopen until Washington meets additional conditions.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi
- What
- Trump said the U.S. is 'low keying it' and only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran while letting economic pressure mount, as Iran denies direct talks and conditions a Strait of Hormuz reopening deal
- When
- Sunday, August 9, about a week after Trump reportedly nearly ordered renewed major combat operations against Iran
- Where
- Washington, in an Axios phone interview, with negotiations centered on the Strait of Hormuz
- Why
- Trump wants to let economic pressure work toward a deal after months of military strikes, sanctions and a blockade; Iran says the strait will not reopen until Washington meets additional conditions
U.S. Administration View
Iranian Government View
Negotiation Status
U.S. Administration View
Trump says the U.S. is 'low keying it' and only 'semi-negotiating' with Iran.
Iranian Government View
Foreign Minister Araghchi says Iran is not currently holding direct negotiations with the United States, with only messages exchanged through intermediaries.
Strait of Hormuz Reopening
U.S. Administration View
The U.S. is pressing for a deal to end the war and reopen the waterway, which Iran has blocked since the conflict began.
Iranian Government View
Iran says the strait will not be reopened until Washington meets additional conditions, citing violations of the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding signed in June.
Military vs. Economic Pressure
U.S. Administration View
Trump says the U.S. is letting economic pressure mount, signaling a pause in military escalation.
Iranian Government View
Only about a week earlier, Trump reportedly was close to ordering a resumption of major combat operations and had made a series of threats to hit Iran hard.
- Speaker
- President Donald Trump
- Interview Outlet
- Axios
- Reporting Agency
- Reuters
- Date of Remarks
- Sunday, August 9
- Key Quotes
- "We are low keying it" and "only semi-negotiating"
- Context
- Months of U.S. military strikes, sanctions and a blockade; war began February 28 with Israel
- Economic Factors Cited
- Iran's "huge inflation," lack of money and inability to pay its troops
- Oil Price Cited
- Crude trading at slightly above $75 a barrel
