Iran says its people are ‘professional chess players’ in dealing with the US

Iran says its people are ‘professional chess players’ in dealing with the US Tehran has described Iranians as “professional chess players” in their dealings with the US, as it insisted that Washington must meet its demands for the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump on Sunday indicated that he was prepared to let economic pressure mount against Iran, appearing to back away from more military strikes after Tehran issued a list of demands for opening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump was quoted by Axios as saying he was "low-keying it" with Iran. "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money," he said. "It will work out. It always works out. It's like a chess game," Trump added. Read more: Iran says its people are ‘professional chess players’ in dealing with the US Ships are seen docked at Charak Port in Iran's Hormozgan Province on 9 August 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP)