Trump tells Iranians to make deal or surrender

President Donald Trump lashed out on Monday after Iran denied it was negotiating with the United States, declaring in a social media post that a US military blockade will continue until there is a "Deal, or Total surrender." Trump made the remarks on Truth Social.

What did Trump say about a deal or surrender with Iran?

Trump wrote that a US blockade on Iran will remain in place until there is a "Deal, or Total surrender." He called Iran "duplicitous" for openly denying it was negotiating, insisting the two sides were, in fact, discussing a solution to a problem Iran had caused for decades.

Did Iran and the US make a deal?

No deal has been confirmed. Trump's statement came after Iran said Monday that it was not holding direct talks with Washington, contradicting Trump's earlier claim that negotiations would resume after he called off a threatened round of heavy bombing over the weekend. Trump had cited appeals from regional powers and Tehran as his reason for holding back the strikes.

The Iranian foreign ministry said the only talks it was holding were with Oman, over sharing control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy trade. Trump insisted Iran had asked for talks, "some would say 'beg'", but was now offering what he called "their usual blather" about controlling Hormuz.

What did Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?

Trump said the strait is already completely controlled by the US Navy, describing the blockade as "The United States Wall of Steel." He said nothing gets through to Iran unless the US allows it, and nothing will get through until a deal or total surrender is reached.

What is the status of the US war on Iran?

Trump launched the war against Iran together with Israel on February 28, with original goals including the destruction of Iran's nuclear industry and missile capabilities, and support for a popular uprising against the government. More than five months later, Iran remains able to fire missiles and drones at US and allied targets in the region.

Iran also retains its enriched uranium stockpiles despite sustained US pressure. Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have severely disrupted global energy trading, giving Tehran significant leverage in the standoff with Washington.