Trump Declares Ceasefire with Iran 'Over' and Criticizes Iranian Leadership
US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over," sharply criticizing the country's leadership by calling them "scum" and "cuckoo" following renewed exchanges of fire.
Speaking prior to a Nato summit in Turkey, Trump stated that US negotiators could continue discussions "if they want," but he personally viewed it as "a waste of time."
Following Trump's remarks, oil prices surged approximately 6%, although they remained significantly below the peaks observed during the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The US and Iran engaged in fresh hostilities late Tuesday into Wednesday, marking the most severe exchange of fire since signing an interim deal in June. This agreement aimed to end conflict and ensure the safe passage of vessels through the strait.
"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 said.
"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."
Renewed Strikes Follow Attacks on Oil Tankers
The recent escalation began after three oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, US Central Command (Centcom) announced on Tuesday that it had launched "powerful" strikes.
On Wednesday, Iran retaliated by targeting US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Additionally, the US revoked its temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
Trump made these comments during a meeting with Nato chief Mark Rutte.
Iran and NATO Responses
Iran's parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of violating their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and other agreements, citing attacks in southern Iran and "violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait."
"The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold," he said.
Nato chief Mark Rutte described the American strikes as "absolutely necessary," stating that Iran was "basically violating the ceasefire."
Background on the Memorandum of Understanding and Previous Strikes
This is not the first instance of strikes occurring after the MoU was signed on 17 June.
The US conducted a series of strikes on Iran on 26 June after an Iranian projectile struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Further US strikes followed on 27 June, after another attack on a cargo ship. By 29 June, both sides agreed to "stand down."
The MoU's 14 points include an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts." Iran agreed to use its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days."
Negotiations and Impact of Ayatollah Khamenei's Death
Both parties continued negotiations toward a permanent end to the war, but talks were paused during funeral ceremonies for the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of US-Israel strikes on Iran.
Ceremonies are ongoing in Iraq on Wednesday, with final rites and burial scheduled for Mashhad in north-east Iran on Thursday.
The timing of resuming talks remains uncertain following this latest round of strikes. When asked about further negotiations, Trump responded:
"I don't care."
"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 said.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars."
Trump also mentioned his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, describing them as "good people" who could negotiate if desired. Both previously played roles in peace talks.
"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."
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