Trump credits his policies for Iran instability: ‘Now it’s a question of will they survive’

President Trump took credit for Iran’s current instability, saying the government there may collapse because of policies he’s enacted.

“When I came into here, it was a question of when would they take over the Middle East,” Trump told Bloomberg News in an interview on Thursday. “Now it’s a question of will they survive. It’s a big difference in 1 1/2 years.”

{mosads}Trump in May pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear pact Iran reached with it and other world powers. He reimposed harsh sanctions on the country this month, with more expected in November against Iran’s oil industry.

The penalties have taken their toll, as Iran’s currency has weakened and inflation is rampant.

The president has said he’s ready to meet with Iran’s leaders to negotiate a new nuclear deal, but Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei poured cold water on that idea, tweeting, “Negotiations with former U.S. officials, who at least saved some face, bore such results! With current brazen U.S. officials—who have unsheathed their swords against Iranians—what negotiations can we have? Thus no negotiations with any U.S. official at any level will be held.”

Negotiations with former U.S. officials, who at least saved some face, bore such results! With current brazen U.S. officials—who have unsheathed their swords against Iranians—what negotiations can we have? Thus no negotiations with any U.S. official at any level will be held.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) August 30, 2018

Iran has reportedly stayed within the limitations imposed by the deal, but it is unlikely the remaining European powers in the pact would be able to provide substantial relief to Iran’s economy.