The primary condition of the performance‑based agreement with Iran was to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without imposing any tolls, upholding the long‑standing principle of freedom of navigation.
Iran has been attacking commercial vessels, Gulf Cooperation Council states, and U.S. military installations, thereby breaching the de‑facto ceasefire and the memorandum of understanding, exhausting President Trump’s patience.
During a recent press briefing, a reporter asked the president whether the ceasefire was over and if the memorandum of understanding had been terminated. President Trump responded that the ceasefire effectively ended, expressing that he no longer wished to negotiate with Iran and describing the parties as deceitful.
Consequently, U.S. air strikes have resumed. However, sustained bombing is likely of limited strategic benefit. After consulting with military analysts, I believe the next major escalation should involve a U.S. Marine operation to seize Kharg Island, which would further cripple Iran’s already weakened economy. Analysts contend that ongoing strikes create the conditions necessary for Marines to secure and retain control of the island.
The U.S. Treasury has reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil exports, a step that will necessitate robust military enforcement. Nevertheless, Iran has already exported approximately 50–60 million barrels of oil since the prior agreement, and this flow must be halted to deny the regime revenue.
Returning to Kharg Island, analysts assert that U.S. Marines could successfully capture the island, leaving Iranian forces largely unable to resist. Such an operation would involve a limited deployment of ground troops confined to the island itself.
Trump stated, “We struck Kharg Island last night and disabled part of its infrastructure. I instructed that the oil facilities remain untouched, as we may seek to seize the island. The objective is to avoid damaging the pipelines while targeting other assets, which Iran may strike again tonight.”
I further recommend that the existing memorandum of understanding be terminated and replaced with a new agreement drafted by U.S. officials, diplomats, and delegates.
The proposed agreement would be straightforward: reopen the Strait of Hormuz, terminate all nuclear activities, relocate Iran’s enriched uranium abroad, subject the program to verification by U.S. and United Nations inspectors, and provide Iran with no financial assistance until it fully complies with these unconditional terms.
Expertise from the Treasury, State, and Energy departments should lead any negotiations with Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio assuming overall command and reporting directly to President Trump. The initial priority remains the seizure of Kharg Island.
