Trump says ceasefire with Iran is over, calling its leaders ‘scum’

Trump says ceasefire with Iran is over, calling its leaders ‘scum’

President Donald Trump declared early Wednesday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively over. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the annual summit in Ankara, Turkey, the president described further negotiations with the Iranian regime as a waste of time.

The announcement follows a dramatic overnight escalation. U.S. Central Command reported that American forces conducted powerful strikes against more than 80 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal radar sites, command-and-control networks, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 small boats linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The U.S. Stated these strikes were a response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels, including a Qatari liquefied natural gas vessel called Al Rekayyat, in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at American military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait. Iran's military stated it targeted 85 U.S. Sites. In Kuwait, the military activated air defenses, while Bahrain's interior ministry urged citizens to take shelter as sirens sounded.

Collapse of the Memorandum of Understanding

The breakdown occurs shortly after the two nations signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) last month aimed at reducing tensions. Under the terms of the MoU:

• The Strait of Hormuz was to be reopened for commercial traffic.
• The U.S. Lifted its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
• Iran committed to not pursuing nuclear weapons.
• The U.S. Agreed to allow Iranian oil sales and begin a $300 million reconstruction fund.
• A 60-day cessation of fighting was established, including between Israel and the Tehran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, to negotiate a final deal.

In response to the tanker attacks, the U.S. Revoked the license that had temporarily authorized the sale of Iranian oil under the agreement. A U.S. Official described the incidents as wholly unacceptable.

During the press conference in Ankara, Trump sharply denounced Iran's leadership, calling them scum, sick people, and vicious, violent people. He asserted that the Iranian regime consists of liars and cuckoo individuals who cannot be trusted to uphold any agreement.

"If they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

Despite his rhetoric, Trump noted that U.S. Envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff remain willing to continue diplomatic efforts. However, he remained dismissive of their potential success, stating, I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it.

Internal Iranian Tensions and Global Impact

The diplomatic collapse coincides with a weeklong funeral procession for former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes in February. The funeral has served as a focal point for mourners carrying Kill Trump placards. The new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was reportedly seriously injured in the February 28 attack that killed his father, has communicated only via statements and has expressed doubts about U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament and chief peace negotiator, accused the U.S. Of major violations of the MoU, including the reinstatement of oil sanctions and U.S. Efforts to create new shipping routes through the strait. Writing on X, Ghalibaf stated, The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold.

The geopolitical instability triggered an immediate impact on energy markets. U.S. Oil rose approximately 6% to $74.62, and global oil increased more than 6% to $78.70 on Wednesday. Nevertheless, data from Kpler showed that commercial traffic continued through the Strait of Hormuz, with 41 crossings recorded on July 7.

NATO Summit Friction

The Iran crisis dominated the start of the NATO summit, where Trump also expressed frustration with the alliance. He complained that members were not helpful regarding Iran, specifically noting that the United Kingdom initially blocked the use of RAF Fairford for bombing missions. Trump also renewed claims regarding Greenland and threatened to cut off trade with Spain after the country rejected a target to lift national defense budgets to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.

The administration remains focused on the denuclearization of Iran. Trump stated, We're going to de-nuke it. We're not going to let them, because they're crazy, and they can't have a nuclear weapon.