US President Donald Trump has announced that the ceasefire with Iran is effectively no longer in effect. He made the statement in Ankara during a NATO summit while answering questions from journalists.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore,” Trump declared. He added that he would still speak with American envoys, but in his opinion, further negotiations are “a pointless waste of time.”
Trump also stated that American forces delivered “very powerful strikes” against Iran on the night of July 8. “They are sick. Something is wrong with them. We told them, ‘Go and take care of your funeral arrangements,’ and instead, yesterday they started shooting at ships. So last night we hit them very hard,” the US President added.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) had announced strikes on Iranian air defense systems, radar stations, anti-ship missile complexes, and naval patrol boats on the night of July 8, noting that the targets were within Iranian territory.
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared that Iranian forces had attacked 85 targets in the Persian Gulf with drones and missiles, which were linked to the American side.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, commercial tankers have reported being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz over the past three days. Tehran had not commented on the incidents, but US authorities believe the strikes were carried out by Iran.
In response to these actions, the US Treasury Department revoked a license that permitted the sale of Iranian oil.
In mid-June, the United States and Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding providing for a 60-day ceasefire and bilateral negotiations towards a final peace agreement.
