US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to raise the “white flag of surrender” as a 60-day ceasefire understanding expires, warning that American naval pressure will continue. Trump also criticised Iran-Oman talks over the Strait of Hormuz, confirmed a US back channel with the IRGC and stressed preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to raise the “white flag of surrender” as a 60-day ceasefire understanding reaches its expiry, while making clear that Washington is not working under a fixed deadline. Trump said the United States would continue applying military and economic pressure on Tehran as tensions remained high.
In a telephone interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said he was “not in a hurry” to establish a timetable for further action against Iran. His remarks came as the 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was set to expire on Monday.
“I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry,” Trump was quoted as saying. He also called on Iran to raise the “white flag of surrender”, describing Iranian officials as skilled poker players while claiming that the country was facing severe difficulties.
Trump indicated that the expiration of the ceasefire understanding would not necessarily force the United States into immediate diplomatic or military decisions. Instead, he said American pressure on Iran would continue, including naval measures and additional economic sanctions.
According to Yingst, the US naval blockade was continuing to place significant economic pressure on the Iranian government, reportedly costing Tehran hundreds of millions of dollars each day. More sanctions from the US Treasury were also expected during the week.
The US President was particularly critical of Iran’s discussions with Oman regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway through which a substantial portion of global oil supplies passes.
Trump issued a blunt warning regarding Oman’s involvement, saying that Washington would respond forcefully if Muscat interfered with US objectives. His remarks highlighted the growing sensitivity surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and its importance to regional and international energy security.
At the same time, Trump confirmed that Washington maintained a back channel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the report, US officials were communicating directly with IRGC representatives despite the continuing confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Trump said preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained the primary objective of US policy. He also discussed American military preparedness, claiming that the weapons used so far represented only a small portion of the capabilities available to the United States.
The President said Washington possessed several mid-level weapons systems and claimed that some advanced weapons had previously been supplied to Ukraine during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Trump also discussed developments involving Israel and Hamas. His son-in-law and negotiator Jared Kushner reportedly met Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt as part of diplomatic efforts. Trump said the United States maintained a separate communication channel with Hamas and claimed that the group was moving toward surrendering its weapons.
He further said Israel should refrain from launching strikes in Gaza because Hamas had agreed to lay down its arms. Trump also praised Israel’s military capabilities and cooperation with US forces.
On Israel’s upcoming elections in October, Trump said he believed it was appropriate for him to remain outside the electoral process, although he left open the possibility of endorsing a candidate.
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Trump’s latest comments underline the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of US-Iran relations. With the ceasefire understanding expiring and diplomatic channels remaining active alongside military and economic pressure, tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and regional security are expected to remain central to Washington’s foreign policy.
