Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States is not talking with Iran, telling reporters in the Oval Office that Washington is focused on punishing Tehran economically and will penalize countries that do business with it. "We don't want to speak to them. We're not looking to meet or anything," he said, as Qatar's prime minister visited Tehran in a bid to revive stalled diplomacy. Asked whether he would sanction Chinese banks over their Iran business, he said: "Who said I'm not? You don't know if I'm doing it ... I don't have to announce everything, do I?"
What did the White House say about talks? Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier in the day that the economic campaign would continue until Iran decides to negotiate meaningfully. Leavitt, who told "Fox & Friends" that "no negotiations are happening right now," said the president "continues to retain all options on the table," the Korea Times reported. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries on Monday to cut financial ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions, but the department stopped short of imposing penalties.
What about China and Russia? China, Iran's biggest trade partner and oil buyer, has voiced opposition to "illegal unilateral sanctions." The Treasury has not sanctioned any major Chinese bank but has targeted several companies in China and Hong Kong it accuses of aiding Iran's government and armed forces, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported, citing AFP. Asked whether he would punish Russia for continuing to trade with Iran, Trump said "it depends," adding that Russia had "behaved quite well, having to do with the Strait of Hormuz." The exchange followed reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Iran's president, The Hill reported.
How did oil markets react? Brent crude, Channel News Asia reported, settled up 2.1% at $89.70 a barrel on Thursday, snapping a three-session losing streak, after a Wall Street Journal report said Trump is not interested in returning to the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached with Iran in June. Investors scaled back expectations of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Where does the war stand? The US-Israel war on Iran reached six months on Friday, a conflict Trump had expected to last "four to five" weeks, the BBC reported. It has cost the United States more than $37.5 billion, the Korea Times reported, and Trump said this week he is "not in a hurry" to get Iran back to the negotiating table.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
