Trump Shifts Strategy on Iran: Talks Halted Amid Escalating Economic Pressure

According to CNN, US President Donald Trump has ordered his negotiation team, including Vice President J.D. Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to halt all contacts with the Islamic Republic of Iran. This shift comes after Trump previously suggested progress in talks, but he now asserts that no negotiations are currently taking place. White House sources indicate that the administration's strategy has moved from rapid action to a policy of gradual 'strangulation' through sustained economic, political, and military pressure. New sanctions against Tehran are expected to be imposed as early as this week. Furthermore, Washington remains committed to maintaining a naval blockade and ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, opposing any Iranian attempts to control the route or levy fees on vessels. US officials believe these pressures will eventually compel Tehran to accept Washington's terms for ending the conflict.