Trump says US frustrated with Iran's negotiating style

BAGHDAD, Iraq — U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States is frustrated with Iran's approach to negotiations, accusing Tehran of creating "shifting ground" in talks and reversing understandings once outside the room. In an interview with Voice of America, Trump said Iranian counterparts appeared to agree with the U.S. side in the meeting room only to walk back the same positions through media afterwards, a pattern he called "extremely shrewd." He argued that Iran's nuclear program made military action necessary, saying Tehran would have obtained a nuclear weapon if the U.S. had not struck. Trump also asserted that U.S. gasoline prices are lower than under former President Joe Biden and claimed Iran's economy is "in chaos" under heavy pressure. He said the U.S. fully controls Iran's financial flows, adding that the Iranian military struggles to pay salaries, inflation remains high and the Iranian currency is losing value. The president added that the U.S. faces no shortage of missile munitions and could mount powerful strikes against Iran if needed. No further details on the state of negotiations or any planned military action were immediately available.