WASHINGTON D.C. - President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran, declaring that Iran "should wave the white flag of surrender" as the United States ramps up its military posture in the Gulf amid a collapsing ceasefire and a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz .
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Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump framed his demand as a call to end a conflict that he argued Iran cannot win.
"Iran should wave the white flag of surrender. They can't take it anymore," Trump said. "We are not looking to hurt them, but they cannot have a nuclear weapon. And they cannot block the strait. So wave the flag. Let's make a deal. Otherwise, there will be consequences like they have never seen."
Escalating Rhetoric Amid Stalled Diplomacy
The president's comments mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric just days after his administration rejected Iran's latest peace proposal, which offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports. The proposal had postponed discussion of Iran's nuclear program - a condition the White House has refused to accept.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the president's强硬立场, stating that "Iran knows what it needs to do. A complete, verifiable, and permanent end to their nuclear ambitions. No delays. No excuses. No white flag? No deal."
Iran's Response
Iranian officials have reacted with defiance. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected Trump's ultimatum, stating that "Iran does not wave white flags. We defended our sovereignty for 40 days against the world's largest military alliance. A tweet will not change that."
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has issued new maritime rules granting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy expanded control over Gulf waters, was more pointed in remarks carried by state media: "The party that should surrender is the one that traveled 10,000 kilometers to threaten a nation that has never bowed to a foreign power."
Project Freedom Continues
Trump's statement came as the Pentagon pushed forward with "Project Freedom" - a military operation to escort commercial ships through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, three additional vessels successfully transited under U.S. Navy destroyer protection.
Iran's IRGC has responded by deploying additional fast-attack craft and coastal missile batteries to the region, raising fears of a direct encounter.
Global Reaction
The international community has reacted with alarm. The United Nations called for immediate restraint, while Pakistan - which has been mediating between the two sides - expressed deep concern that the rhetoric could end any remaining hope for a diplomatic solution.
China called on both sides to "exercise maximum restraint," while Russia accused Washington of "provocative and dangerous escalation."
European allies, already strained by Trump's threats to withdraw U.S. troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain, have remained largely silent, though a French diplomatic source described the comments as "unhelpful to de-escalation."
What's at Stake
With the Strait of Hormuz - through which 20% of the world's oil passes - effectively closed for nearly 10 weeks, global energy prices remain volatile. Brent crude traded at 118perbarrelonWednesday,downfromhighsof118perbarrelonWednesday,downfromhighsof126 but still 53% above pre-conflict levels.
Analysts warn that Trump's "white flag" language leaves little room for the face-saving compromises typically required in Middle East diplomacy.
"When you demand surrender, you are asking for total capitulation," said retired General Frank McKenzie, former head of U.S. Central Command. "That's a very high bar - and one that historically, Iran has never met."
