Trump Confirms IRGC Backchannel and Demands Iran Surrender As Ceasefire Expires

President Donald Trump has confirmed the existence of a direct diplomatic backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while demanding that Tehran surrender as a 60-day ceasefire deadline expires. Speaking in an exclusive phone interview with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump maintained that his primary objective remains ensuring Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon in any way, shape, or form, dismissing suggestions that politics is guiding his military strategy.

The Expiration of the 60-Day Ceasefire and Nuclear Ultimatum

The expiration of the 60-day ceasefire deadline marks a critical deadline in the U.S.-Iran agreement. According to Fox News reporting, Trump asserted that Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender.” Simultaneously, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the “number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon.” The Jerusalem Post corroborated that this coincides with the expiration of the 60-day period in the MoU.

Negotiations have bypassed mediators and Iranian political officials, establishing direct communication lines with the IRGC. Axios sources cited by the Jerusalem Post identified Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani as the secret backchannel, leveraging his fluency in Farsi and personal relationships with several members of the IRGC. Trump characterized the opposing negotiators during his interview with Fox News, stating that they are “good poker players, but they’re dying.” Despite the expiration of the ceasefire, Trump emphasized that he has “no time schedule” and is in “no hurry” to make a deal.

Geopolitical Shockwaves Across the Strait of Hormuz and Regional Security

The expiration of diplomatic talks carries consequences for the Middle East. With tensions escalating in the Strait of Hormuz, military analysts and regional infrastructure planners face operational uncertainties.

Trump issued a warning to Oman regarding its role in talks involving Iran, telling Fox News, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s— out of them.” Concurrently, questions regarding the strain on U.S. weapons stockpiles were played down. Trump stated that what has been used so far is “peanuts,” though he noted that many of the more advanced weapons, including air-defense systems, were “given away” to Ukraine by former US President Joe Biden.

Broader Middle East Diplomacy and the Gaza Disarmament Track

Beyond the Iranian theater, the administration’s diplomatic footprint extends to discussions regarding the Gaza Strip. According to Fox News and Jerusalem Post coverage, Trump indicated that Israel should not be carrying out strikes in Gaza as efforts continue to advance a plan that would include the disarmament of Hamas. Jared Kushner, Board of Peace head Nikolay Mladenov, and Tony Blair met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials to apply pressure on Israel to move forward with the next stage of the US plan for Gaza.

While Israel has rejected trusting the Hamas terrorist group, Trump asserted that he has a “different channel with Hamas” and that they are “giving up their guns.” Regarding Israeli elections, Trump told Fox News that he believes it is most appropriate for him to stay out of the elections, though he “may endorse somebody.”