Trump Threatens Oman as 60-Day Iran Deadline Expires and Hormuz Stays Shut

1 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · Aug 20

A 60-day U.S.-Iran deadline set in June expired this week with no breakthrough, as Trump demanded Iran raise a “white flag of surrender,” threatened Oman, and posted a map labeling the Strait of Hormuz “U.S. territory.”
The outburst came as Iran kept the strait effectively closed, continued striking tankers, and insisted it would not reopen the waterway until frozen assets are released, oil sanctions end, and U.S.-Israeli operations stop.
Six months into the war, the U.S. has dropped 1.5 million pounds of ordnance in 10,000 sorties, yet Trump’s stated goals—toppling the regime and crippling its nuclear and missile programs—remain unmet.
The campaign has instead raised global energy costs, strained U.S. forces, and fueled criticism that Washington has strengthened Tehran’s resolve while burning through munitions and prestige across the region.
Analysts cited in the report say Gulf states are hedging away from Washington, the war is unpopular at home ahead of midterms, and Iran now believes it can outlast and deter Trump.