US President: Iran must raise the white flag and surrender

Washington, Aug 17 (KUNA) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran should “raise the white flag and declare surrender,” as the ceasefire deadline stipulated in a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries last June expired today, Monday, paving the way for negotiations. In an interview with the U.S. Fox News channel, President Trump added that Iran “cannot achieve victory over the United States.” When asked whether he intended to extend the deadline, Trump replied, “I don’t have a specific timeline and I’m in no hurry.” In the same context, the U.S. president posted on Truth Social that “the first goal – and it will always remain so – is that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon in any form, shape, or manner.” President Trump signed the memorandum of understanding on June 17 at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, the French capital, during the Group of Seven (G7) summit, granting Washington and Tehran a 60-day deadline – unless extended by mutual consent – to negotiate a final agreement addressing sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program, and other outstanding issues. The expiration of the negotiation deadline today, Monday, follows a resumption of hostilities between the two sides. In July, Iran attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the United States to carry out air strikes on scattered areas in Iran. On July 14, the U.S. Navy resumed the blockade of Iranian ports in accordance with directives from the U.S. president. (End) R.S.R. / N.S.A.