Media: Trump administration pauses Cuba pressure as Iran dominates agenda

US President Donald Trump’s long-standing push for regime change in Cuba has taken a back seat as the administration focuses on the conflict in Iran, granting Havana a temporary reprieve, sources familiar with White House deliberations said, POLITICO reports.

“With Tehran dominating the agenda, Cuba is getting a longer lifeline for now,” one source explained, noting that the administration still intends to alter the island’s political and economic system in the future. A second source said delaying action on Cuba could work in Trump’s favor, making any future measures less predictable.

The decision appears motivated in part by humanitarian concerns. Amid an ongoing oil blockade that has worsened Cuba’s economic crisis, the administration allowed a Russian tanker to deliver fuel to the island this week. Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilyov confirmed Moscow is preparing to send another shipment, though US approval remains uncertain.

“Using humanitarian suffering as a tool for political change could breed many more problems,” said Jeffrey DeLaurentis, former chargé d’affaires at the US embassy in Cuba, citing potential mass migration risks. He added that the move also reflects Trump’s interest in avoiding confrontation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

However, experts caution against reading the shift as a cohesive long-term strategy. “While Trump allowed a Russian ship to go through, he may turn around and continue squeezing Mexican shipments,” said Ricardo Zúñiga, former deputy assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere affairs under the Biden administration.

A White House official, speaking anonymously, emphasized ongoing dialogue with Cuban leaders, stating, “We are talking to Cuba, whose leaders want to make a deal and should make a deal, which President Trump believes ‘would be very easily made.’”

Cuban officials confirmed talks last month but clarified that discussions about political or economic reforms were off the table. Frank Mora, former US ambassador to the Organization of American States, said, “He will be coming back to Cuba. He believes that he can be a historic figure in Cuba.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated that Cuba’s economic and political systems “need to change,” adding, “We’ll have more news on that fairly soon.” For now, with the administration focused on Iran, Cuba has gained a temporary reprieve, allowing its government time to shape negotiations amid worsening conditions for its citizens.

By Vafa Guliyeva