US President Donald Trump said on August 26 that he is in no hurry to see Iran return to the negotiating table and has set no deadlines, as the US-launched conflict enters its sixth month.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Trump stated: "I have no timeline, nothing. I'm not in a hurry. I have no deadline for this."
Asked how long he would give Tehran to resume dialogue, the US President replied: "We are winning very big. They have severe inflation, their economy is collapsing, they treat their people badly and kill many protesters. I have no timeline, no matter what happens."
This Friday marks exactly six months since the US launched its war against Iran. Trump's latest remarks contradict earlier statements in which he repeatedly downplayed the conflict's duration, at times insisting the war would end within "four to six weeks."
In June, the US and Iran signed a 60-day memorandum of understanding to address issues such as transit through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and the start of discussions on Tehran's nuclear program. That agreement expired earlier this month.
On August 24, the US announced enhanced sanctions against Iran and 60 entities in other countries that do business with Tehran, which officials dubbed an "economic D-Day" and the administration named "Operation Economic Outcast."
