Trump Rejects Extension of Iran Peace MOU... "May Declare Hormuz as U.S. Territory"

Iran Also Warns of Expanded Military Action

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 17th (local time) that he has no intention of extending the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran, which expired at the negotiation deadline. As Iran warned it would escalate military action if diplomatic deadlock continues, President Trump also reiterated that the United States could declare the Strait of Hormuz as American territory, further heightening tensions in the Middle East.

During a Q&A session with reporters at the White House on the same day, President Trump was asked whether he was willing to extend the MOU with Iran and replied, "No."

The United States and Iran had signed a temporary MOU in June to end the war, agreeing to reach a final settlement within 60 days. While the agreement allowed for the negotiation deadline to be extended by mutual consent, the deadline expired on this day without any significant progress.

Iran is also ramping up the pressure. A senior Iranian official warned foreign media that if the United States fails to comply with the agreement, Iran would shift from a defensive posture to a "full offensive" and could expand military operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump again showed support for the idea of declaring the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. He stated, "We are controlling the strait through a blockade," and added, "I like the idea of declaring it as U.S. territory. We could do so."

On the 14th, President Trump also mentioned that, after the end of the war with Iran, the United States could declare the Strait of Hormuz as its territory. Iran immediately protested, saying that the United States has no grounds to claim sovereignty over the strait.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.