Iran fails to strike deal with US as deadline passes and Trump calls for ‘white flag of surrender'

US-Iran Negotiations End Without Agreement as Deadline Expires

Negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded without a final agreement after the Monday deadline passed, leaving disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program and passage through the Strait of Hormuz unresolved nearly six months into the conflict. Iranian officials announced an understanding with Oman on a proposed commercial transit route, though that arrangement requires U.S. approval and does not address the existing naval restrictions or the nuclear issue.

Both governments have accused the other of violating terms of a June memorandum of understanding that sought to pause hostilities, reopen the strait, and create a framework for discussions on sanctions, nuclear activities, and regional security. Iran has called for sanctions relief, release of frozen assets, and an end to the U.S. naval presence in the waterway while asserting authority over transit. The United States has insisted on unrestricted commercial navigation through the strait, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the two countries had reached an understanding on a map of the transit route and were working toward a joint statement. President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, said that if Oman interfered, the United States would respond with force and that Iran should surrender to conclude the fighting. He reiterated that preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon remains the administration’s primary goal. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the expiration of the negotiating period.

The Strait of Hormuz remained central to the impasse. Iran maintains it must retain control over passage, while the United States has required open commercial access. Traffic through the waterway has fallen sharply amid repeated attacks on shipping and subsequent military responses. On June 25, a commercial vessel was struck in the strait; U.S. Central Command attributed the attack to Iran and conducted strikes on Iranian missile and drone storage sites and radar facilities. In July, Iran struck three additional vessels, prompting U.S. strikes on more than 300 Iranian military targets over three nights, including missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition storage, communications networks, and coastal surveillance positions. U.S. operations continued through July 22, targeting maritime capabilities, storage facilities, surveillance sites, and air defense assets. Most recently, two vessels operated by the UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company were attacked while transiting the strait; the UAE attributed the incidents to Iran, which has not commented.

The reduction in shipping has increased pressure on global energy markets. Reports indicate the conflict has also affected U.S. munitions inventories. Reuters, citing sources familiar with the data, reported that the Army had expended virtually all of its ATACMS and Precision Strike Missile stocks and just under half of its global Tomahawk inventory. Pentagon officials have stated that the drawdown has not undermined overall readiness and have urged defense contractors to increase production rates. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that U.S. Patriot interceptor inventories had declined by at least 65 percent from pre-conflict levels. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Navy could sustain its blockade indefinitely through ship rotations.

With the 60-day window established by the June memorandum now closed and no compromise reached on Hormuz or the nuclear dispute, the Trump administration faces decisions on whether to extend talks, increase pressure on Tehran, or continue military operations that have already disrupted energy supplies and drawn down weapons stockpiles. Iranian officials have warned of a prolonged conflict if no resolution is found.