US President Donald Trump signaled on Sunday that he's prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to mount — as opposed to ordering a new military offensive — even as the country continues to defy the U.S.

Axar.az reports that Trump made the remarks in an interview with Axios while discussing the next steps regarding Iran.

Trump also didn't express any anger or frustration about the fact that Iran has been holding up an announcement on a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Saturday, Iran issued a new list of demands to allow shipping through the strait.

"We are low-keying it," Trump said during a brief phone call. "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money."

He stressed that Iran "is in very bad shape" economically and has no money to pay its troops.

"The U.S. naval blockade has exacerbated the Iranian regime's economic crisis," he added.