Financial Times: In public remarks on Friday, Pezeshkian, who is responsible for running the economy but does not decide wartime strategy, said it would be “better to end the war today while we are in a position of strength and dignity”.
…His comments came as Trump appeared to be betting on using further economic pressure to weaken the regime, both through the US blockade on Iranian ports and what he said would be “tremendous economic consequences” for countries that trade with Tehran…
Reuters: NATO’s top commander convened a videoconference earlier this week to facilitate possible contributions to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, his spokesperson told Reuters, adding that this is not a NATO mission.
…”To be clear, this is not a NATO mission. But given NATO’s unique strengths in its ability to bring together Allies and understand the capabilities they bring to bear, it makes sense for NATO to facilitate in this way,” the spokesperson added…
Trump says Iran “not ready to make the right deal” as U.S. turns to economic warfare
President Trump said Iran “would love to make a deal. But they are not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion.”
…”It just means that we’re seeing what happens,” he said. “They have no money, they have no navy, they have no air force. They are not paying their soldiers, they are not paying their police. They have 350% inflation. So we are just going to see what happens.”…