Trump says ceasefire is ‘over’ after US and Iran trade strikes
Trump Declares Ceasefire with Iran Finished Following Renewed Military Exchanges
Trump says ceasefire is over after - United States President Donald Trump has officially announced that the ceasefire arrangement with Iran has come to an end, following a series of military confrontations between the two nations. In a series of statements delivered to reporters, the American president characterized Iran's leadership in harsh terms, describing them as "scum" and "cuckoo" while expressing his frustration with ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The president's comments came just before he was scheduled to attend a NATO summit taking place in Turkey. While Trump indicated that American negotiators could continue their discussions with Iranian counterparts if they chose to do so, he personally viewed these talks as "a waste of time." His declaration came amid escalating tensions that have dominated headlines in recent days.
Market Reaction and Military Escalation
Financial markets responded swiftly to Trump's statements, with oil prices experiencing a notable jump. Despite this increase, current prices remain considerably lower than the peaks observed during the complete closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The maritime passage is crucial for global energy supplies, making any disruption to shipping routes a significant concern for international markets.
The period spanning from Tuesday evening through Wednesday witnessed what officials described as the most intense exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran since they reached an interim agreement in June. That earlier deal had established provisions for ending hostilities and ensuring safe navigation for commercial vessels through the contested waterway.
"I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore they're scum ... they're led by sick people and they're vicious, violent people," Trump declared to reporters.
He continued his criticism, noting inconsistencies in Iranian behavior: "We make a deal. They [Iran] go outside, talk to the press, they say 'we never even talked about it'. There's something wrong with them. They're cuckoo. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."
Strikes and Retaliation
US Central Command confirmed on Tuesday that American forces had initiated "powerful" military operations in response to attacks targeting three oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. These strikes represented a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In a swift counter-response, Iranian authorities announced on Wednesday that they had targeted American military installations located in both Bahrain and Kuwait. This retaliation was framed as a direct consequence of the American strikes on Iranian vessels.
Additionally, the United States announced it had withdrawn its temporary suspension of sanctions specifically related to Iranian oil exports, signaling a harder line in economic pressure against Tehran.
"The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold," said Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who accused American forces of violating their Memorandum of Understanding on multiple fronts.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Efforts
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte characterized the American military actions as "absolutely necessary," asserting that Iran was "basically violating the ceasefire" agreement. This is not the first instance of military exchanges occurring after the Memorandum of Understanding was initially signed on June 17.
The United States had previously conducted a series of strikes against Iranian positions on June 26, following an incident where an Iranian projectile struck a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Additional American strikes were carried out on June 27 after another tanker came under attack. Despite these confrontations, both nations subsequently agreed to a mutual "stand down" period.
The MoU contained fourteen distinct points, with one key provision calling for an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts." Iran committed to using its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days." Both parties had been engaged in negotiations regarding a permanent resolution to the conflict.
However, diplomatic discussions were temporarily suspended during funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died on the first day of combined US-Israeli military operations against Iran. Memorial services are currently being held in Iraq on Wednesday, with the final burial rites scheduled for the city of Mashhad in north-eastern Iran on Thursday.
"Frankly, I don't want to waste my time with them. Now, I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it," Trump stated. "As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars."
Trump also acknowledged his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, referring to both as "good people" who possessed the capability to negotiate if desired. The two had previously been involved in peace discussions regarding the region.
"I'll speak to our negotiators, if they want to negotiate they're good people - Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner - but they have to come back to me, as far as I'm concerned it's just a waste of time," Trump concluded.
At present, the timeline for resuming formal negotiations remains uncertain following this latest round of military confrontations.