Iran's endgame: Agreement or capitulation

President Donald Trump warned Monday, in a Truth Social post, that the US naval blockade on Iran would only be lifted in the event of a "deal" or "total surrender."

Trump also repeated his claim that negotiations were underway between Washington and Tehran — a claim Iran flatly denies. "Iran's leaders are unbelievably duplicitous! 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 talks whatsoever," he wrote.

Trump also insisted the Strait of Hormuz was "totally controlled" by the US Navy, adding, in reference to the blockade on Iranian ports: "Nothing gets through to Iran... and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished."

The president, following a pattern that has become familiar since the war began five months ago, threatened Iran with massive strikes before abruptly reversing course, saying Sunday that negotiations with Tehran would resume Monday.

An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Monday that Iran is "not currently negotiating with the United States," but is in talks with "Oman to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz."