Trump Gives Iran Ultimatum Over Hormuz Deal

President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum to Iran on August 4, 2026, demanding it finalize a deal with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating U.S. military strikes. The president characterized the demand as a "last chance" for Iran to reach an agreement, following his decision to call off what he described as a major attack over the weekend.

The diplomatic impasse centers on negotiations between Iran and Oman to establish a temporary, jointly managed route through the strategic waterway, a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments. While Iranian officials stated talks with Oman are progressing and are in their final stages, they have explicitly denied negotiating directly with the United States. A foreign ministry spokesman said the discussions focus on a temporary route to ensure ship safety, not on the strait's overall status. This claim drew a sharp rebuke from Trump, who accused Iranian leadership of being duplicitous and insisted that negotiations for a solution are, in fact, underway.

The situation remains volatile, with the strait effectively closed to most commercial traffic. According to reports, the so-called "middle passage" under discussion...