TEHRAN, 18 August. - (ANA) - As Washington ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire agreement, Iran will shift to a "fully offensive" military posture because efforts to ⁠negotiate a permanent end to the war with the US have stalled, a senior Iranian official told ​Reuters, 

 

The 60-day deadline for the two sides to reach a permanent peace deal passed on Monday. 

 

US President Donald Trump said that the US had a back-channel to speak to officials in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but said he was in "no hurry" to reach a deal with Tehran.

 

The IRGC, which has grown more powerful during the war and controls large parts of Iran’s armed forces and economy, denied there had been back-channel talks.   

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump warned long-time US ally Oman against interfering in his administration’s efforts involving Iran, telling Fox News: “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb.” Catch-up: Iran has been negotiating an agreement with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz and says the two sides are close to a deal. Iran says point 5 of its mid-June memorandum of understanding with the US gives it the right to manage the strait, which it shares with Oman. The US rejects that interpretation.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/18 August 2026 - - -