President Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview Monday that Iran must 'raise the white flag and surrender.' He confirmed a direct backchannel with senior IRGC officials, warning that Washington will 'bomb the hell' out of Oman if it blocks US interests in the Hormuz Strait. Trump also noted progress on Hamas disarmament but advised Israel against striking Gaza now.
President Donald Trump delivered a wide-ranging interview to Fox News on Monday, issuing an uncompromising ultimatum to Iran while simultaneously revealing a direct diplomatic backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In the interview, Trump stated that Iran has 'no choice but to raise the white flag and surrender,' reiterating his position from previous statements. He confirmed that the US is maintaining a direct backchannel with senior IRGC officials, whom he characterized as 'good poker players, but they are dying.' The president said he has no timetable for the confrontation, insisting that the midterm elections are not influencing his decisions.
Trump also warned that if Oman obstructs US interests regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Washington will 'bomb the hell out of them.' The comments come amid reported Omani mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran.
On the Gaza front, Trump acknowledged positive progress in efforts to achieve Hamas's disarmament but advised Israel against launching an offensive in Gaza at this time, stating that 'we have our own relationship with Hamas. They are giving up their weapons.'
The president's remarks follow a series of public statements on Iran. As The Zioneer has reported in recent weeks, Trump previously called on Iran to 'negotiate or surrender' and characterized a potential deal as 'unconditional surrender.' The revelation of a direct IRGC backchannel marks a notable development in US-Iran contacts.
The interview suggests that while the administration maintains a confrontational posture, diplomatic channels remain active. The threats against Oman add a new dimension to the regional dynamics surrounding the strategic waterway.
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