Trump says Iran will collapse on its own, dismisses ammunition shortage concerns

US President Donald Trump said his Iran strategy comes down to two options: sustain economic pressure until the country collapses under its own weight, or deliver a devastating military strike. The remarks, made as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations over a truce and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirmed his intention to pursue both pressure and diplomacy simultaneously.

In an interview with conservative outlet Real America's Voice released Tuesday, Trump described his current approach to Iran as simply "doing what I'm doing," adding, "Just watch — they're going to fail."

He cited Iran's severe economic distress — an inflation rate of 300% and a sharply depreciating currency — and said sustained economic pressure would cause the country to implode.

"We control their money," Trump said. "I am their banker." He added that he was "essentially conducting a kind of negotiation," signaling that economic sanctions are serving as his primary leverage.

Trump also sharply criticized Iran's conduct at the negotiating table. "They are very cunning negotiators," he said. "They agree to something and then go outside and say they never agreed to it."

He kept the military option on the table as well, describing the alternative as "hitting them really, really hard" and making clear he was prepared to take further military action if necessary.

Trump shrugged off recent domestic concerns about ammunition shortages, saying, "We're fine." He added that the US was "producing ammunition like crazy," and blamed former President Joe Biden for depleting stockpiles by supplying Ukraine with around $300 billion worth of munitions.

The United States and Iran have alternated between military clashes and diplomatic talks since the war broke out in late February. Washington has tightened economic sanctions while simultaneously pursuing negotiations over issues including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan, which is mediating the talks, said Wednesday that the two sides were nearing "some kind of agreement," while Qatar assessed that negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz had made significant progress.

However, Iran has conditioned any reopening of the strait on the lifting of the US maritime blockade and compensation for war damages. Trump has also demanded that Iran pay war reparations, suggesting that a final agreement remains a long way off.