Trump Rejects Extension of Iran Framework Deal, Asserts ‘Total Control’ Over Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, Aug 18 — United States President Donald Trump has explicitly ruled out seeking an extension to the 60-day June framework agreement with Iran, asserting that American military forces have established total control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz through an effective naval blockade.

Speaking to reporters on Monday as the 60-day negotiation window established under the June memorandum neared its expiration without a comprehensive peace settlement, Trump delivered a definitive “No” when asked whether Washington would seek to extend the Pakistani-brokered interim agreement.

Addressing whether diplomatic efforts were bringing both nations closer to a definitive resolution, Trump noted that while Tehran demonstrated a desire to negotiate, Iranian leadership remained unwilling to meet crucial American demands. “They want to make a deal, but they are not going to make the kind of deal that I feel is necessary,” Trump stated.

Reaffirming the primary objective of the U.S. military campaign, the president stressed that preventing Iranian nuclear capability remains non-negotiable. “Look, we’re in there for one reason: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. You understand that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and they won’t have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Trump also defended his recent remarks regarding plans to formally declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory, maintaining that ongoing blockade operations give Washington de facto sovereignty over the vital maritime choke point. “Well, I just think it’s a great idea. I mean, we control it. We control it with the blockade. We have a blockade. We control it with the blockade, and I like the idea of declaring it a territory,” he said.

Emphasizing the operational reach of the blockade, Trump remarked that American forces retain absolute command over regional shipping corridors. “We have total control over the Strait. Now, they can be a nuisance … But the blockade has been very effective,” the president declared, adding that U.S. enforcement was facilitating the movement of millions of barrels of oil weekly.

“The strait is open, and the oil prices are coming down, and they will continue to come down unless we decide to do something far more drastic than we are doing,” Trump said, warning that Tehran was currently “in big trouble.”

Turning to diplomatic mediation efforts in the Persian Gulf, Trump commented on Oman’s role in facilitating talks with Tehran regarding maritime access through the waterway. When questioned whether U.S. patience with Muscat had worn thin, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Oman’s diplomatic stance but indicated Washington remained capable of managing regional dynamics. “No, I don’t think they behaved very well, but we’d handle them very easily, just like we do other things,” Trump concluded.

–NMT