Iran has decided to move from a defensive posture to a “fully offensive” policy amid the deadlock in efforts to reach a permanent agreement to end its war with the United States, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday.
The official said diplomatic efforts to revive peace talks and restore oil tanker traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz had stalled, with no clear indication that the two sides were moving toward an end to the conflict that the United States and Israel launched on February 28.
Iran Threatens Action Against US Blockade
“Iranian entities must be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region,” the official told Reuters, adding that Tehran was prepared to make difficult decisions and take action.
According to the official, Iran would launch a “timely and precise” military operation to break the US naval blockade if diplomatic efforts fail.
The comments came as Monday marked the deadline set under a memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the United States in June, which was intended to provide a framework for reaching a final agreement to end the war.
Dispute Over Strait of Hormuz
Signed on June 17, the memorandum established a 60-day timeframe, extendable by mutual agreement, for Washington and Tehran to reach a broader deal addressing issues including the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
The agreement called for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations on all fronts. However, it quickly unraveled amid a dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran argues that a provision in the memorandum gives Iran the right to manage the strategic waterway, while Washington has rejected that interpretation. Hostilities subsequently resumed after Iran began targeting vessels it said were attempting to transit the strait using an unauthorized route.
US President Donald Trump declared the agreement “over” on July 7, while Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of violating its commitments.
Tehran Sets Deadline for Further Talks
The senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would give the United States a short period of several weeks to implement all provisions of the agreement.
“Within the short period of a few weeks set by Iran, all the agreement’s provisions must be implemented by the US. This is a precondition for further negotiations with the US,” the official said.
He added that mediators would communicate Iran’s deadline to Washington and regional countries.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have intensified over the past week, with both sides increasing their rhetoric.
Trump warned Americans at a rally on Friday to prepare for continued high fuel prices as a result of the war. He also said that after the United States finished defeating Iran, he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a US territory.
Earlier Monday, Trump reiterated his opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon in a post on Truth Social.
“The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump wrote, repeating one of the main justifications he has given for the war.
