U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Iran to make what he called a wise decision, warning that the country’s economy is heading toward failure. Speaking on May 5, 2026, he said U.S. sanctions have played a major role in Iran’s economic decline and described them as the toughest ever imposed. Trump praised Treasury Secretary Scott Besent for effectively implementing the sanctions.

Trump claimed that Iran’s currency has become nearly worthless and that inflation may have reached 150 percent. Despite his harsh economic assessment, he expressed reluctance to pursue military action, saying he does not want to kill people in Iran and calling the issue very difficult.

Expressing sympathy for the Iranian people, Trump said he knows many Iranians in New York and elsewhere and described them as wonderful people. He concluded by emphasizing that Iran should act wisely to avoid further deterioration of the situation.