Donald Trump said that the financial situation of Americans does not influence his approach to negotiations with Iran. Asked by reporters on Tuesday how much the economic situation in the United States motivates him to reach a deal with Tehran, the president replied: “Not even a little bit.”
According to Trump, there is only one priority for him in negotiations with Iran—preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody at all. I think about one thing only: we cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon,” he said.
The continuing confrontation surrounding Iran is increasing pressure on the U.S. economy, contributing to higher energy prices and inflation. According to AAA, the average price of gasoline in the United States has reached $4.50 per gallon.
At the same time, Labor Department data released on Tuesday showed that the consumer price index rose 3.8 percent over the past 12 months and 0.6 percent in April alone.
Trump continues to argue that fuel prices will fall sharply once a deal with Iran is reached. On Tuesday, he also proposed eliminating the federal gas tax as an additional measure to lower fuel costs.
Polls, however, show growing dissatisfaction among Americans. According to a CNN survey published on Monday, 77 percent of respondents said Trump’s policies had increased the cost of living in their areas. Another 75 percent said the conflict surrounding Iran had negatively affected their financial situation.
At the same time, negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked. On Monday, Trump said the ceasefire arrangement between the sides was on “massive life support” after he rejected Iran’s counterproposals in the nuclear talks.
Tehran, for its part, is seeking to separate the nuclear negotiations from discussions over the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil transit route. The Trump administration insists that Iran must first commit to restrictions on its nuclear program.