Trump Demands Iran 'Surrender,' Threatens to Bomb Oman Amid Stalled Talks
Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
- President Trump demanded Iran "raise the white flag of surrender" while stating he was not in a hurry for a deal.
- He also threatened to bomb Oman, which has been mediating talks with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
- The deadline for a preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran expired without a final resolution, increasing the possibility of renewed conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, demanding it "raise the white flag of surrender" while simultaneously asserting that he is in no rush to finalize any deal. This strong stance comes as the 60-day negotiation period, established under a preliminary agreement between the two nations, expired without reaching a comprehensive resolution.
Iran must raise the white flag of surrender.
Trump's comments, made during a phone interview with Fox News, suggested that Iran is under significant economic pressure due to U.S. military actions and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated, "They are great poker players, but they are dying." His primary objective, he reiterated, remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Adding a controversial dimension to the diplomatic tensions, Trump directed threats towards Oman, a key mediator in discussions concerning the management of the Strait of Hormuz. When questioned about Oman's role in the talks, Trump responded with expletives and declared that Oman would be "bombed without mercy" if it interfered. This aggressive rhetoric towards a mediating nation highlights the administration's frustration.
I have no time set. I'm not in a hurry.
U.S. media outlets interpreted Trump's remarks as an expression of frustration over his inability to resolve ongoing conflicts that he initiated but could not conclude. The New York Times noted that the threat against Oman, which has consistently maintained a neutral mediating role, emerged at a time when Trump has limited leverage to achieve his initial war objectives. Analysts suggest this is a reflexive response, blaming others for a difficult situation.
They are great poker players, but they are dying.
The conflict, which began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes across Iran in February, has continued for nearly six months, despite initial predictions of a swift resolution. While U.S. forces have inflicted significant damage on Iran's military capabilities, Trump has struggled to achieve his political goals. The expiration of the memorandum of understanding, coupled with the U.S. military's stated ability to maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz indefinitely, signals a prolonged period of tension and a lack of a clear exit strategy from the conflict.
If Oman interferes, we will bomb it without mercy.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.