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US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on Monday (local time). [AP]
US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office on Monday (local time). [AP]

US President Donald Trump said Monday (local time) that he has no intention of extending a truce MOU with Iran after it expired that day.

Trump also threatened to bomb Oman — a US ally mediating talks over the Strait of Hormuz — using profanity in the process, and said he likes the idea of declaring the strait American territory. Analysts interpreted the remarks as reflecting his frustration that the Iran war, now nearly six months old, shows no clear path to an end.

Speaking in a Fox News interview in the morning and in a question-and-answer session with White House reporters in the afternoon, Trump said he would not extend the MOU and insisted that "Iran must raise the white flag of surrender."

The MOU, premised on 60 days of negotiations, expired that day. It had already become largely meaningless as both sides continued exchanging military blows, but Monday marked its official end.

When asked about Oman's role in the negotiations with Iran, Trump warned — with profanity — that "if Oman gets in the way, I will bomb the hell out of them," Fox News reported.

The New York Times, reporting on Trump's threat against Oman, said the remarks showed that Trump "is frustrated by his inability to resolve a war he started but seems unable to finish, as the truce agreement with Iran officially collapsed" that day.

Oman sits on the opposite shore of the Strait of Hormuz from Iran and maintains close ties with both Tehran and Washington. Trump's threat to bomb the country without hesitation — an American ally — underscored the depth of his frustration.

Oman and Iran have been holding separate talks on transit and management of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the two countries were working on a joint declaration, AFP reported.

The Wall Street Journal said Oman's efforts to act as a neutral mediator in the Gulf "have irritated US officials, who are increasingly inclined to view Oman's approach as hostile to American interests."

Trump also said he likes the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory.

"We control it with a blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it our territory. We could do that," he said.

Trump made a similar remark on Aug. 14, saying the United States would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz American territory. Whether he is simply overstating US control of the waterway or is serious about the claim remains unclear, but given his track record, a unilateral territorial declaration cannot be ruled out.

Trump also struck a skeptical note, saying Iran wants to negotiate but will not agree to the kind of deal he believes is necessary.

"Iran is in serious trouble. Inflation is 300 percent. The country is a mess and the military has been completely defeated," he said.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com