Trump urges Iran to wave ‘white flag’ as ceasefire expires
Ceasefire discussions are reaching a pivotal deadline that signifies the formal conclusion of the U.S.-Iran accord. Reporting from Tel Aviv, Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst highlights the rising geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Iran, urging them to capitulate and ‘raise the white flag.’
As the 60-day ceasefire deadline looms on Monday, President Donald Trump’s determination to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains unwavering. Speaking to Fox News on Monday morning, he confirmed the existence of a covert peace dialogue with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
In a phone interview, Trump stated, “They should put up the white flag of surrender,” affirming reports about the secret communications with the IRGC, which bypass traditional mediators and Iranian political leaders.
Despite the approaching expiration of the ceasefire on Monday, Trump expressed that there is still an opportunity for peace if Iran complies with his primary demand. “The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon,” he emphasized on Truth Social around the time of a special call to Fox News’ Trey Yingst.
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President Donald Trump gave an exclusive interview to Fox News’ Trey Yingst on Monday morning, confirming reports of the backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amid fractured Iranian political leadership. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)
“I have no time schedule,” Trump told Yingst. “I’m not in a hurry.”
While Trump has long lamented reaching peace with a fractured Iranian regime that has had multiple levels of leadership killed in past strikes, he confirmed U.S. officials are communicating directly through a backchannel with IRGC officials.
“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” Trump said.
While speculation swirls Iran is engaging in its decades-long strategy of running out the political clock on Trump, before the midterms, if not 2028, Trump rejected the suggestion that politics is guiding his military strategy as commander in chief.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long maintained a strong relationship with President Donald Trump, who stopped short of saying he will get his endorsement in his bid for reelection in Israel. (Getty Images)
“Midterms have nothing to do with my thinking,” he told Yingst.
Trump also issued an extraordinary warning to Oman when asked about the Gulf nation’s role in talks involving Iran.
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s— out of them,” Trump said.
The president then turned to Israel, where he said he believes it would be most appropriate for him to remain on the sidelines of the country’s elections — while simultaneously leaving open the possibility that he could back a candidate.
“I think it’s most appropriate for me to stay out of Israeli elections, but I may endorse somebody,” Trump said.
Trump also said Israel should not be carrying out strikes in Gaza, as efforts continue to advance the next phase of a plan that would include the disarmament of Hamas.
“We have our own relationship with Hamas,” Trump said. “They are giving up their guns.”
Despite Israel’s rejection of trusting the Hamas terrorist group, Trump suggested he could work peace both with a disarming Hamas and Israel.
“They fight well with us,” Trump reiterated to Yingst.
Trump also pushed back on concerns over the strain the conflict might be placing on U.S. weapons stockpiles, playing down the amount of American firepower used so far.
“What we’ve used is peanuts,” Trump said. “We have a lot of mid-level weapons.”