Trump Demands Iran Surrender as Talks Stall
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday Iran should surrender to conclude a conflict with the U.S., as negotiations between the two nations remain at an impasse. “They should put up the white flag of surrender,” Trump told. An interim deal agreed to in June declared a “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts,” but it quickly unravelled, with Trump stating it was “over” on July 7 and Iran’s foreign ministry declaring it “suspended” a week later. Under that memorandum of understanding, Iran and the U.S. committed to negotiating a final deal—covering broader issues such as the fate of Iran’s nuclear programme—in a maximum of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.
Monday signifies the completion of 60 days since the memorandum of understanding was executed. Oman and Iran are currently engaged in discussions aimed at reaching an agreement to reinstate commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway was responsible for transporting 20% of the global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies prior to the onset of U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told. The dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz has led to an increase in fuel prices and has intensified pressure on Trump to conclude a war that faces domestic unpopularity as the November midterm elections approach, which will determine the balance of power in the U.S. Congress.
Trump conveyed that the midterm elections are not influencing his approach toward Iran. “Midterms have nothing to do with my thinking,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: “The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon,” repeating one of his stated rationales for the war.
