Trump tells Iran to raise 'white flag' as 60-day MoU expires
Synopsis
Trump's 'white flag' demand and a threat to bomb Oman if it 'gets in the way' of Strait of Hormuz talks signal that Washington is willing to dramatically escalate pressure on multiple fronts simultaneously — even as it quietly maintains a direct back channel with the IRGC. The 60-day MoU has lapsed, but Trump says he is in no hurry, suggesting the US sees time as its ally.
Key Takeaways
Donald Trump called on Iran to raise the 'white flag of surrender' as the 60-day MoU expired on Monday, 17 August .
Trump said he has 'no time schedule' and is 'not in a hurry' to set a fresh deadline for Tehran.
The US naval blockade is reportedly costing Iran hundreds of millions of dollars per day ; additional Treasury sanctions were expected this week.
Trump threatened to 'bomb' Oman if it interfered in Iran-Oman talks over the Strait of Hormuz .
The US confirmed a direct back channel with Iran's IRGC , even amid high tensions.
Jared Kushner met Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt ; Trump said Hamas was giving up its weapons and urged Israel to halt Gaza strikes.
US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to raise the 'white flag of surrender' as a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries expired on Monday, 17 August, while signalling he feels no urgency to impose a fresh deadline on Tehran. The remarks, made in a telephone interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, came as American naval pressure on Iran continued to mount.
Trump's Stance on the Deadline
'I have no time schedule. I'm not in a hurry,' Trump told Yingst, making clear he does not regard the expiry of the MoU as a binding constraint on US policy. He described Iranian officials as skilled negotiators — 'good poker players' — but insisted the country was 'dying' under the weight of economic pressure. Trump also firmly rejected suggestions that US midterm elections were influencing his approach toward Iran.
Naval Blockade and Sanctions Pressure
The US naval blockade on Iran remains in force and is reportedly costing the Iranian government hundreds of millions of dollars each day, according to reports citing Yingst's account. Additional US Treasury sanctions were expected to be announced later in the week, further tightening the economic vice on Tehran. Trump indicated that military assets deployed so far amounted to 'peanuts', adding that Washington retains significant mid-level weapons capacity, though he claimed several advanced systems had been transferred to Ukraine by former President Joe Biden.
Warning to Oman Over Strait of Hormuz
Trump issued a particularly blunt warning regarding parallel negotiations between Iran and Oman over control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. 'If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the S out of them,' Trump said, according to Yingst. The statement marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric toward Oman, a country that has historically played a quiet mediating role between Washington and Tehran.
Back Channel with IRGC Confirmed
Trump confirmed that the United States maintains a back channel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with US officials speaking directly with IRGC representatives even as tensions remain elevated. Preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains Washington's top stated priority, Trump reiterated.
Gaza, Hamas, and Israel
Trump also addressed the situation in Gaza, disclosing that his son-in-law and senior negotiator Jared Kushner had met Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt. He said the US holds a separate channel with Hamas and claimed the group was in the process of giving up its weapons. Trump urged Israel not to carry out further strikes in Gaza on those grounds, while praising Israeli military capabilities: 'They fight very well alongside our forces.' On Israel's elections scheduled for October, Trump said he may yet endorse a candidate but added it was 'most appropriate' to stay out for now.
Point of View
Treasury sanctions, and a threat against Oman — sit in uneasy tension with the confirmed IRGC back channel. Historically, the US has used quiet diplomacy as a pressure valve precisely when public rhetoric peaks; the back channel suggests Washington is not actually prepared to let the situation spiral. The Oman threat is the most destabilising element: Muscat's mediating role has been indispensable in past US-Iran de-escalation, and alienating it publicly narrows the diplomatic corridor. The 'no deadline' framing also cuts both ways — it removes urgency from Iran's side as much as from Washington's.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trump urge Iran to raise the 'white flag of surrender'?
Trump issued the demand as a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran expired on 17 August, with no new deal in place. He argued Iran was economically weakened by the US naval blockade and Treasury sanctions, costing Tehran hundreds of millions of dollars daily.
What is the 60-day MoU between the US and Iran?
The 60-day Memorandum of Understanding was a ceasefire-style understanding between Washington and Tehran. It expired on Monday, 17 August, though Trump indicated he did not view the deadline as binding and said he was in no hurry to set a new one.
Why did Trump threaten Oman?
Trump warned that the US would take military action against Oman if it interfered in parallel negotiations between Iran and Oman over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Oman has historically served as a quiet diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
Has the US been talking directly with Iran's IRGC?
Yes. Trump confirmed that US officials maintain a direct back channel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), even as broader US-Iran tensions remain elevated. The existence of the channel suggests active, if informal, diplomatic communication alongside public pressure.
What did Trump say about Gaza and Hamas?
Trump disclosed that his son-in-law Jared Kushner had met Hamas chief Khalil Al-Hayya in Egypt, and said the US holds a separate channel with Hamas. He claimed Hamas was giving up its weapons and urged Israel not to carry out further strikes in Gaza on that basis.
