As my colleague Ward Clark reported, Monday marked the end of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the signing of which precipitated the beginning of a 60-day ceasefire of military operations against Iran. The MOU is officially DOA. On Monday, President Donald Trump called for Iran to "put up the white flag of surrender," and declared that the administration had a backchannel to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
RedState and Townhall Media's Pentagon correspondent RC Maxwell further reported:
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran has shifted from a defensive posture to a “fully offensive” one and is prepared to escalate in the Strait of Hormuz if diplomacy with the United States fails. “Iranian entities must be prepared to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region, as Iran will be ready to make decisions and take action on difficult decisions,” the official said.
The Iranian official added that Iran would conduct a “timely and precise” military attack aimed at breaking the U.S. naval blockade if talks collapse.
IRGC bluster and propaganda? Probably. President Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday and affirmed that talks had ceased, no new talks were scheduled, and the United States Navy had full control of the Strait of Hormuz.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 18, 2026
There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating. All water mines have been removed or detonated. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)'s post on Monday further reinforces President Trump's Tuesday statement.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk hovers over the flight deck of USS Mason (DDG 87) as the ship enforces America's 🇺🇸steel wall blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 17, CENTCOM forces have redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/6DRDqmX3v3
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 17, 2026
A U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk hovers over the flight deck of USS Mason (DDG 87) as the ship enforces America's 🇺🇸steel wall blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 17, CENTCOM forces have redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled 3, and boarded 2 to ensure compliance.
The success of this blockade means that Iran is being starved of money through their restricted ability to sell crude and acquire essential resources. As RedState reported, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent's Operation Economic Fury campaign has been full bore for quite some time. The Office of Foreign Assets Control has amped up sanctions against Iran, and they have targeted national and international businesses and individuals, and financial institutions that have given physical aid, digital assets, and funding to the IRGC.
Operation Epic Fury put the IRGC on its heels as well as destroyed the regime's physical assets. Operation Economic Fury is hindering their ability to coordinate and rebuild. While no one is supremely confident (nor should they be), the possibility of Iran cratering from within becomes greater. The goal of this administration is that this collapse will occur sooner, rather than later.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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