A fragile truce between the United States and Iran has collapsed after both sides exchanged new military strikes, prompting Donald Trump to declare the ceasefire finished and casting fresh uncertainty over diplomacy, regional security and global oil markets.
US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran is effectively finished after both countries exchanged fresh military strikes, sharply escalating tensions across the Middle East.
Speaking ahead of the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump dismissed the prospect of further negotiations, describing Iran’s leadership in unusually blunt terms.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore… they’re scum,” Trump said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
Although he said US negotiators could continue discussions if they wished, the president insisted he considered further diplomacy “a waste of time.”
The latest escalation followed attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies.
In response, US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched what it described as “powerful” strikes against Iranian targets.
Iran retaliated on Wednesday, saying it had fired missiles at US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, accusing Washington of violating the temporary agreement reached between both countries in June.
SEE ALSO: US Strikes Iranian Targets Following Tanker Assaults
The renewed fighting also prompted the United States to restore sanctions on Iranian oil exports by ending its temporary suspension of restrictions.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Washington of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), arguing that the United States had violated commitments relating to military operations and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold,” Ghalibaf said.
Despite the renewed hostilities, oil markets reacted cautiously.
Crude prices rose following Trump’s comments but remained well below the levels recorded when the Strait of Hormuz was previously closed during the height of the conflict.
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the US military response, saying Iran had effectively broken the ceasefire by continuing attacks.
The interim agreement signed on 17 June included a commitment by both countries to immediately halt military operations and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for at least 60 days.
However, tensions had already resurfaced days after the deal was signed.
The United States carried out strikes on 26 and 27 June following attacks on commercial shipping, although both governments later agreed to temporarily stand down and resume negotiations.
Those talks were paused after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of US-Israeli military operations against Iran.
Funeral ceremonies are continuing across the region, with final burial arrangements scheduled to take place in Mashhad.
When asked whether diplomatic negotiations could still resume, Trump appeared unconvinced.
“Frankly, I don’t want to waste my time with them. They’re liars,” he said.
He nevertheless acknowledged that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner could continue discussions if they believed progress was possible.
For now, however, Trump’s remarks signal a dramatic breakdown in relations, leaving the future of negotiations uncertain and raising fresh concerns over the risk of a wider regional conflict.
