Trump rules out extending Iran framework agreement

President Donald Trump has urged Iran to surrender, following the expiration of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at resolving hostilities between the two nations. During an interview with Fox News, Trump insisted that Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender" in the ongoing conflict ignited by a five-month US-Israel war on Iran.

The White House has reportedly initiated a direct communication channel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but Trump has admitted that he is not eager to resolve the conflict, which he views as slipping out of his control and detrimental to his political standing. Despite the looming US midterm elections in November, Trump has not set a timeline for reaching a deal, emphasizing that he remains unconcerned about the pressure facing his administration.

In a bid to strengthen his stance, Trump threatened to bomb US ally Oman if it interferes with efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route currently blocked by Iran. Iranian and Omani officials have been negotiating maritime navigation arrangements through the shipping route, and Tehran has announced its participation in a joint declaration.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the proposed mechanism would aim to protect the interests of both Iran and Oman while ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels. This would be the first time a mechanism is being developed to safeguard the sovereign rights of the two littoral states and guarantee the smooth flow of commercial traffic.

As the MoU has lapsed without any progress in restarting negotiations, both Iran and the US have accused each other of breaching the truce since it took effect in mid-June. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintained that his country has not yet decided to reinitiate talks with the United States. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened to declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, while Iran has reaffirmed its claim over the crucial energy waterway it has been blockading.