WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending an interim memorandum with Iran as its 60-day deadline expired, while threatening military action against Oman over its efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran on the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said on Monday that Washington was not seeking an extension of the memorandum, which was intended to provide a framework for ending the US-Iran war and negotiating a longer-term settlement.
The deadline passed without a final agreement, leaving the conflict without a renewed framework for reducing hostilities. Both sides have accused each other of failing to uphold commitments under the arrangement.
Trump also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender”, while maintaining that Washington’s main objective is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Oman Talks Add To Tensions
The collapse of the MoU has coincided with a dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route between Iran and Oman.
Iran and Oman have been holding discussions on arrangements for commercial shipping through the waterway. Tehran said the two countries had reached an understanding and were working towards a joint declaration.
Trump warned that the United States could bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a US agreement with Iran over the strait. Oman, a long-standing US ally, has not publicly responded to the threat.
The comments represent a sharp escalation in rhetoric as Washington seeks to restore commercial traffic through Hormuz.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Key Dispute
The waterway has been at the centre of the US-Iran confrontation since the war began.
Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz was one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a substantial share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Traffic has since fallen dramatically, putting pressure on energy markets and international shipping.
Oil prices rose by more than $2 on Monday, with Brent crude settling at $90.87 a barrel as concerns about further supply disruptions increased.
Iran has sought greater control over navigation through the strait, while Washington has demanded the restoration of unrestricted commercial shipping.
