US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran surrender amid the expiration of a five-month memorandum of understanding (MoU) designed to end hostilities. Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Trump stated that Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender" in the ongoing conflict.

This demand marks the latest exchange in escalating rhetoric between the US and Iran, while mediators continue efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. The MoU, agreed upon several months prior, aimed to de-escalate tensions, but its expiration leaves the future of the conflict uncertain.

Trump also claimed his administration has established a direct communication channel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite acknowledging the conflict's impact on his political standing and his perceived loss of control, the President asserted he is not in a hurry to conclude the war, even with the upcoming US midterm elections in November.

"They’re good poker players, but they’re dying," Trump remarked about the IRGC, projecting an image of strength. He reiterated his lack of urgency regarding a resolution, stating, "I have no time schedule… I’m not in a hurry."

Adding to the volatile situation, Trump issued a threat against Oman, a US ally, stating that the US could bomb the country if it obstructed a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded. This statement comes as Iranian and Omani officials have been engaged in discussions regarding future maritime navigation arrangements in the crucial shipping route.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had earlier announced that Iran and Oman were working on a joint declaration to protect their mutual interests and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "This is the first time that a mechanism is being developed to simultaneously safeguard the sovereign rights of the two littoral states and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels," Baghaei said.

The expiration of the MoU on Monday occurred without either side indicating a willingness to extend the agreement. Both the US and Iran have accused each other of violating the truce since it went into effect in mid-June, contributing to the continued strain in their relationship.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi previously stated on Telegram that no decision had yet been made regarding the resumption of negotiations with the United States. This stance, coupled with Trump's aggressive rhetoric, underscores the significant challenges in finding a path toward de-escalation and peace in the region.