Trump gives Iran 'last chance' for deal, demands 'agreement or total capitulation' to lift naval blockade

Trump's ultimatum

On Monday 3 August, US President Donald Trump declared that the naval blockade of Iran would not be lifted without "an agreement or total capitulation." Writing on Truth Social, he said the Strait of Hormuz was "totally controlled" by the US Navy and that "nothing will pass" until a deal is reached. He accused Iranian leaders of "incredible duplicity," claiming they had requested negotiations but then publicly denied any talks were taking place.

They ask for a meeting, some would say 'beg,' talks begin, others are scheduled for the immediate future, and they say, publicly and proudly, that they have no discussions.

Speaking to reporters, Trump framed the moment as Iran's "last opportunity to sign a good document." He said the negotiations, which he described as happening "right now" or resuming "as soon as tomorrow," would proceed in two phases. "The first phase is about opening the straits. The second phase will be denuclearisation," he said, adding that the nuclear issue "will take a little while." Trump also reiterated that "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon."

Tehran's response

Iran immediately rejected the claim of direct talks. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, "Iran is not negotiating with the United States at this moment." He confirmed that Tehran was in discussions with Oman "to secure a passage in the Strait of Hormuz." The sultanate has been mediating a separate track on a new maritime route, and on Monday the foreign ministers of Iran and Oman held talks. Iran's Abbas Araghchi said those negotiations were close to being finalised.

Trump dismissed the Omani channel, particularly any suggestion of transit fees. "I won't let them charge. If anyone has to charge, it's us. There will be no payment," he said. Oman has indicated it is not interested in imposing tolls.

The diplomatic backdrop

The exchange follows a weekend of mixed signals. On Sunday, Trump announced that peace negotiations would resume on Monday after a pause during weeks of escalating hostilities. He said Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had urged him to suspend attacks in the hope of reaching an agreement, and that Iran itself had asked for the halt of what he described as "the largest attack plan since World War II." Trump said the talks were taking place "at the request of Iran, supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar in particular, but also by others."

Five months of war

The conflict began on 28 February 2026 with an Israeli-American offensive against Iran, triggered in part by Tehran's uranium enrichment programme. The US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, and the war has since seen repeated threats of massive bombardment. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows, has been at the centre of the military and diplomatic manoeuvring.

What happens next

Trump said negotiations were either underway or would restart on Tuesday 4 August. The White House has presented the talks as a final diplomatic window, while Tehran insists its only active channel is with Muscat. The standoff leaves the blockade firmly in place and the prospect of a broader agreement uncertain.