Iran Signals Offensive Shift as Trump Doubts Peace Deal and Threatens Oman

Iran told Reuters on Monday that it would move from a defensive stance to a "fully offensive" military posture because negotiations on a permanent end to the war with the United States have stalled. A senior Iranian official said Tehran is prepared to "escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region" and would carry out a "timely and precise" attack to break the U.S. naval blockade if diplomacy fails.

The United States has not responded publicly to the remarks. President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, said Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender" and later suggested the possibility of attacking Oman over the strait, which remains largely blocked.

Separately, Iran announced it had reached an understanding with Oman on a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, working toward a joint statement on the route. The agreement, described by an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson as an "understanding regarding the map of the transit route," would allow vessels to pass without fees during an interim period.

U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, said talks between Washington and Tehran are more robust than before but have not yet produced a final agreement. The memorandum of understanding signed in June, which set a 60-day deadline for a broader deal on Iran's nuclear program and sanctions, has unraveled over disputes about control of the strait.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed President Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent, the lowest of his term, as the conflict has disrupted about one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments and driven up gasoline prices in the United States.