Trump Shifts from WWII-Level Warnings to Quiet Posture on Iran

President Trump told Axios on August 9, 2026, the US was "low-keying it" on Iran — days after threatening attacks "not seen since World War II," then cancelling them. He credited a naval blockade since April with pushing Iran into "very bad shape" financially. Washington, he said, was "only semi-negotiating" with Tehran, which denies direct talks.