US President Donald Trump said in a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over" and called the country’s leadership "scum" and "cuckoo" after a fresh wave of strikes.
Speaking ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump noted that US negotiators could continue talks if they want but considered it a waste of time, earning a 6% spike in oil prices.
The escalation began after three oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, leading US Central Command to launch powerful strikes. Iran retaliated by targeting US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The US also revoked its temporary suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil sales, further tightening economic pressure, while Iranian lawmakers accused the US of breaching the Memorandum of Understanding signed in June that called for an end to the conflict and safe passage through the Strait.
The latest round of strikes marks the strongest exchange of fire since the interim deal in June, and it remains unclear when talks will resume after the recent funerals for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Trump’s hardline stance illustrates the persistent tension between the US and Iran over maritime security and sanctions, as both sides navigate shifting diplomatic currents in the region.
