Donald Trump says "Iran is dying and playing its hand like a good poker player" as deal expires

After a 60-day U.S.-Iran agreement lapsed on August 17, President Trump told Fox News that a backchannel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard remained open and that he saw no need for urgency. He reportedly depicted Iran as a weakened adversary bluffing its way through public defiance while facing serious internal strain, signaling Iran should surrender. The comments came as the expired memorandum, which had pledged $300 billion in reconstruction aid and a pause on new sanctions, had already collapsed after hostilities resumed. Trump has also claimed American control over the Strait of Hormuz, suggested making it U.S. territory, and warned that Oman—which has been negotiating with Iran—could be bombed if it obstructed U.S. interests. The U.S. military campaign against Iran has run nearly six months without resolution.