Tensions are escalating following the expiration of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at halting the war with Iran.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States is not interested in extending the MOU, which expired on Monday (August 17).

Instead, he urged Iran to "raise the white flag of surrender." At the same time, Trump claimed that the United States has established "complete control" over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Al Jazeera, the MOU signed with Iran last June expired on Monday. Following this, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the 60-day deadline set for negotiations on issues including sanctions no longer holds any efficacy due to "serious" violations by the United States. He added that Iranian forces are prepared to retaliate if attacked.

On Monday, Trump stated that the U.S. is not interested in extending the structural understanding reached with Iran to end the war. The agreement had been brokered by Pakistan. When journalists asked Trump if he was attempting to extend the agreement with Iran, he replied, "No."

The Anadolu Agency reported that although the 60-day negotiation period has expired, no comprehensive agreement has been reached yet. The June understanding had set this timeframe for negotiations to reach a broader accord.

When asked whether the two countries were close to a final agreement, Trump said that Iran wants to talk, but according to him, Tehran is not agreeing to the type of deal the U.S. wants.

Trump said, "They (Iran) want to make a deal. But they won’t make the deal that I think is necessary." He reiterated that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.

"We are there for one reason—so that Iran cannot build a nuclear weapon. As you understand, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons, and they will not have them," Trump said.

Recently, Trump had spoken about declaring the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory. When questioned about this again, he stood by his remarks. "I think it’s a great idea," Trump said, asserting that the U.S. has taken control of the Strait through a naval blockade.

"We are controlling it. We are controlling it through a naval blockade. We have a blockade, and that's how we are controlling the strait. I like the idea of declaring it U.S. territory," he stated.

He claimed that the U.S. has "complete control" over the Strait of Hormuz, though he noted that Iran could still pose some problems. Trump described the U.S. naval blockade as highly effective.

Trump further claimed that due to U.S. actions, millions of barrels of oil are being transported through the region every week. "We are probably taking out millions of barrels of oil every week. Maybe it will stop, or maybe it will become even more open," he said.

"The strait is open, oil prices are falling, and they will continue to fall—unless we decide to take much stricter measures than we are now," Trump added, while asserting that Iran is in "big trouble."