Trump declares Iran ceasefire over, after US launches fresh strike

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared that the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was effectively over after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iran, raising the risk of renewed military confrontation between the two countries.

“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said in Ankara while seated alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the military alliance’s annual summit. “As far as I’m concerned it’s just a waste of time.”

Trump’s remarks followed a new wave of U.S. strikes on Iran and Washington’s decision to revoke a waiver permitting the sale of Iranian oil. The measures came in response to recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, adding fresh uncertainty to global energy markets and straining an already fragile truce between the two countries.

“I don’t want to deal with them, but they’re scum,” Trump said. “You know what scum is? They’re scum. They’re sick people, they’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people, and if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.”

Despite his remarks, Trump said he would not prevent negotiators from continuing diplomatic engagements, although he questioned whether further talks would yield results.

“There’s something wrong with them, they’re cuckoo,” he said. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time.”

Three vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in incidents the United States blamed on Iran. Tehran has repeatedly maintained that ships would not be allowed to transit the strategic waterway without its approval. The suspension of attacks on commercial shipping and the U.S. waiver allowing Iranian oil sales formed key elements of a memorandum of understanding that ended hostilities and established a 60-day window for negotiations on a broader peace agreement.

The latest developments represent the most significant challenge yet to the interim deal. While Washington accused Tehran of violating the agreement through attacks on shipping, Iran argued that the renewed military strikes and revocation of the oil waiver breached the terms of the understanding.

Oil prices, which climbed to nearly $125 a barrel in late April before easing as tensions subsided, rebounded on Tuesday after the U.S. Treasury’s decision to tighten restrictions on Iranian oil exports.

A U.S. official said negotiators would continue efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement between Washington and Tehran. However, prospects for a lasting settlement remain uncertain, with major disagreements persisting over transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen Iranian assets and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Negotiations resumed last week after both countries exchanged military strikes but were suspended again as Iran observes a weeklong funeral for late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the opening day of the conflict in late February.

Qatar said the next round of talks would be convened at the earliest possible opportunity after the funeral ceremonies. Khamenei is expected to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Trump has repeatedly said he prefers a negotiated settlement with Iran but has also warned that the United States is prepared to resume military action if diplomacy fails.

The conflict has also weighed on Trump’s domestic political standing as his Republican Party prepares for November’s midterm elections. Higher energy prices have intensified voter concerns over the cost of living, while recent opinion polls show declining approval ratings amid dissatisfaction with his handling of both the economy and the conflict.

Although Trump has argued that an end to hostilities would quickly lower fuel prices and support financial markets, uncertainty remains over how rapidly global energy supplies can return to pre-conflict levels.