Tehran says Iranians have shown “they are professional chess players” in response to President Donald Trump comparing his dealings with Iran to the board game.

“Lights out or lights on, Iranians showed they are professional chess players,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

The comments come in response to Trump telling Axios he was “low-keying it” with Iran and allowing economic pressure to build, adding: “We are only semi-negotiating with them… It will work out. It always works out. It’s like a chess game.”