WASHINGTON (Realist English). US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing a Presidential Commission on Military Spouses, aimed at improving the quality of life for service members and their families.
At the same time, the White House chief made a sharp statement regarding Iran, calling the renewed talks Tehran’s “last chance” to reach a deal and avoid an escalation of American strikes.
Iran, for its part, denied any direct contacts with the US but confirmed progress in talks with Oman on organising safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Support for military families: Trump’s new executive order
On 3 August, Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the Presidential Commission on Military Spouses. The new body is designed to establish a direct link between the White House and military families and address key issues they face: childcare, spousal employment, housing, healthcare, education and the effects of repeated deployments.
The commission will be chaired by Jennifer Hegseth – the wife of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. The new body is expected to develop recommendations for the president on improving policy for military families.
‘Last chance’ for Iran
Alongside the signing of the order, Trump made a statement that could determine the future trajectory of the Middle East conflict. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, the US president said the renewed talks with Tehran are Iran’s “last chance” to reach an agreement.
“This is their last chance,” Trump said. According to him, he “wants to give them one last chance before decapitation,” stressing that the talks would conclude “today or tomorrow.” The American leader also confirmed that the US had postponed a new strike on Iran in the hope of a quick deal that would open the Strait of Hormuz and address nuclear issues.
Trump noted that talks with Tehran are “going on right now,” with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar involved in their preparation. According to him, he received phone calls from Iran’s leadership, Qatar and the UAE urging a return to diplomacy.
Iran denies US talks but confirms progress with Oman
Trump’s statements were immediately rejected by Tehran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the Islamic Republic is “not conducting any negotiations with the US at the moment.”
“At present, we have no negotiations with the US. Talks are ongoing with Oman aimed at reaching an agreement on a route that will ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” the diplomat was quoted as saying by the Iranian IRNA news agency.
Baghaei stressed that the talks with Oman are focused on creating a “temporary” route to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, he said, the situation in the strait “will not change” if the US continues to violate the memorandum of understanding.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, for his part, confirmed that talks with Oman are in their final stages. The sides are close to an agreement on a new shipping corridor that would guarantee the security and sovereignty interests of both countries.
Conflict remains in limbo
Despite diplomatic activity, military action continues. Trump said the war with Iran is going “very, very well,” but warned that if talks fail, an escalation of strikes would follow.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war, has remained effectively blockaded since 28 February. Iran has already rejected Oman’s proposal for joint regional management of the strait, insisting on a bilateral agreement.
Trump said talks could conclude within the next day or two, but did not specify where they would take place. The Iranian side continues to deny direct dialogue with Washington, leaving room for manoeuvre through Omani mediators.
As Reuters notes, “Trump’s apparent de‑escalation after days of mutual threats of fresh attacks was another twist in the protracted war.” Whether the sides can find common ground in the coming hours will determine whether strikes follow the rhetoric – or whether diplomacy ultimately prevails.
