A senior White House official has publicly stated that President Donald Trump will not permit the Iranian government to manipulate him, asserting that Tehran had successfully done so with past U.S. administrations. The comments, provided to Al Jazeera and reported by Middle East Eye, emphasize a shift in U.S. foreign policy strategy toward the region.

According to the official, the administration is content to allow what it describes as the "inevitable collapse" of Iran to proceed without direct intervention. The official argued that the United States currently holds a position of significant strength, citing U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing decline of the Iranian economy as primary factors. The official further noted that the strategic waterway remains open, despite rising tensions between the two nations.

While the report outlines the administration's perspective on its current leverage, it does not provide a response from Iranian officials or independent verification of the claims regarding the state of the Iranian economy. The administration's stance suggests a policy of economic pressure rather than direct military engagement, banking on the belief that internal Iranian instability will dictate the outcome of the current diplomatic standoff.