Why it matters: U.S. intelligence and open-source media reports point to a deepening economic crisis inside Iran, including gasoline shortages in one of the world's most oil-rich countries.
"The Iranians want to stop being bombed and they want money," a senior administration official said. "But that's almost in reverse order. They really want the money first."
Driving the news: Trump, who paused U.S. strikes against Iran over the weekend after 13 consecutive days of attacks, said Monday that Tehran had requested a meeting to discuss a deal.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied that claim.
Both sides are talking to mediators, led by Oman, Qatar and Pakistan, who are seeking to convert the pause in fighting into a durable new ceasefire.
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