Trump Issues 'Last Chance' Ultimatum to Iran Amid Escalating Conflict
US President warns of intensified strikes as Strait of Hormuz traffic slows and ceasefire talks falter.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Carla Rooney
The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28th, initiating the conflict.
This ultimatum follows a period where Trump previously paused strikes in Iran, only for them to resume. In May, he informed Congress that hostilities had terminated, only for U.S. and Iranian forces to exchange fire around the Strait a week later, with U.S. forces disabling two Iranian tankers.
Trump also cancelled a planned attack in May, stating serious negotiations were underway. U.S. strikes reportedly resumed by the end of May after negotiations faltered.
Shipping data on Monday indicated a slowdown in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, following reports of vessel attacks.
A tanker reportedly experienced an explosion nearby in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre confirmed the vessel and crew were safe.
Iran has been in discussions with Oman regarding the creation of a temporary route through the strait to allow commercial shipping to resume.
Despite these discussions, Iranian news outlets refuted claims of an agreement to end the five-month war and split control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump complained on social media and at a White House event about Iranian officials denying ongoing talks for a ceasefire agreement, stating, "Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!"
Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous!
Trump further asserted, "They then go on to give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our ‘Blockade’ or, as some say, ‘The United States Wall of Steel!"
Iran's defense minister stated the nation remains vigilant amid threats from the US.
Three ceasefires have occurred and collapsed since April. A memorandum of understanding signed on June 18th is seen as a precondition to unlocking further agreements, and Trump declared a previous ceasefire "over" on July 8, after which the U.S. resumed its aerial campaign on Iran, including nearly two weeks of consecutive strikes.
The US president called the Iranian leadership “unbelievably duplicitous” in a post on social media.
The conflict's impact extends regionally. Saudi Arabia attacked Iranian-backed forces inside Iraq and raised tensions with Iranian-backed Houthis in northern Yemen in the week prior.
Pro-Iranian Houthi rebels have reportedly made deals with Somali al-Shabab terrorists to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Two tankers carrying Saudi oil did cross the strait over the weekend.
Oil prices fell on Monday morning in Asian trade after Trump's announcement. Brent crude dropped over 4% to approximately $83 per barrel.
Domestically, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed fewer than a third of Americans support the war in Iran.
The Pentagon updated its war casualty database, recording more than 140 additionally wounded and restoring four soldiers killed to the figures for US casualties in the Middle East. The president attended a transfer of service members killed in an Iranian attack on a U.S. airbase.