US President Donald Trump has called on Iran to surrender as a memorandum of understanding between the two nations expired Monday, with both sides accusing each other of violations and raising military rhetoric.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified following the expiration of a memorandum of understanding that was signed in June. President Trump stated in an interview with Fox News that Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender," signalling an hardened American position as negotiations remain deadlocked.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected Trump's characterization, arguing that "gross" violations by the United States rendered the agreement's deadline "entirely moot." Baghaei asserted that Iran's military forces remain prepared to defend against any potential attack. Meanwhile, Trump claimed his administration was engaged in discussions with Iran's Revolutionary Guards, a statement the IRGC denied.
Military rhetoric from Tehran has also intensified in recent days. A senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, announced that Iran intends to adopt a new "maximum deterrence" policy, suggesting a potential shift from a defensive to an offensive military posture. The expired agreement marked the latest flashpoint in ongoing efforts to resolve the broader conflict, with talks aimed at ending the war remaining at an impasse between the two nations.
