President Donald Trump said he believes the Iran ceasefire is over, while also arguing further US strikes would not mean a return to war. His mixed messages leave uncertainty over next steps, as mediators try to preserve an interim deal. The dispute centres on Strait of Hormuz shipping and Iran’s nuclear programme, with political risks at home.
International
-Sathish Raman
President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran appeared finished. Trump also said the U.S. might carry out more strikes soon. Trump added that further attacks did not equal a full return to war. The mixed public remarks left uncertainty about the next phase. The conflict had only recently moved into an interim arrangement.
President Donald Trump said he believes the Iran ceasefire is over, while also arguing further US strikes would not mean a return to war. His mixed messages leave uncertainty over next steps, as mediators try to preserve an interim deal. The dispute centres on Strait of Hormuz shipping and Iran’s nuclear programme, with political risks at home.
The U.S. military later announced fresh attacks on Iran. The strikes were described as aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten navigation. The focus remained the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas. Earlier, Trump said events would move quickly. “Anything that happens is going to happen very fast,\” Trump said.
Ceasefire with Iran talks and mediators
A regional intelligence official said the situation was at a critical point. The official cited rising mistrust on both sides. The official said high-level contacts continued around the clock. The talks aimed to keep the ceasefire alive. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitive negotiations.
The official said Pakistan and Qatar’s foreign ministers were leading mediation efforts. Egypt’s intelligence chief was also involved. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was part of the outreach, the official said. Türkiye hosted the NATO summit that ended Wednesday. Leaders from Saudi Arabia were also engaged, according to the official.
Ceasefire with Iran disputes in the Strait of Hormuz
The official said Washington was angry about attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. also accused Iran of delaying nuclear discussions. Nuclear talks were meant to be the next major step. They aimed to turn last month’s interim deal into a lasting end to the war.
The official said Tehran blamed Washington for breaching parts of the strait agreement. Tehran also said the U.S. failed to ensure a Lebanon ceasefire was carried out. That included an Israeli withdrawal, the official said. These claims formed part of Iran’s argument that the pact was not being honoured.
Ceasefire with Iran statements from Trump and Iran
Trump publicly suggested Washington might abandon the arrangement. \”I think its over.\” Trump said at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Trump also questioned whether any new deal was worthwhile. \”We can play games, but Im not sure I want to make a deal,\” Trump said. Trump added the U.S. military might finish the job.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s lead negotiator, said the Trump administration broke the initial pact. Qalibaf said Iran was forced to respond in kind. \”The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We dont fold,\” Qalibaf posted on X.
Ceasefire with Iran and risk of renewed strikes
Michael Eisenstadt, who directs a Washington Institute programme, said talks were still happening. Eisenstadt said public threats could be part of bargaining. \”This is part of negotiating, and declaring that the MOU is over is part of the negotiation as well,\” Eisenstadt said. Eisenstadt referred to the memorandum of understanding behind the ceasefire.
Pakistan, which helped broker the ceasefire, urged restraint from both sides. Pakistan said renewed fighting served no one’s interests. \”There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve shared goal of peace in the region,\” its foreign ministry said. The statement urged both parties to meet their commitments.
Trump used harsher language for Iran’s leaders during the latest flare-up. Trump called them scum and sick people. Last month, Trump described Iran’s leadership differently. Trump said Iran’s leadership was very rational and nice to deal with. Trump also called the country’s leaders smart people.
Speaking in Milwaukee on Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance addressed the breakdown. Vance said Iran behaved well for about a week. Vance said Iran then began attacking the strait. Vance warned of a U.S. response if shipping was targeted. \”If they shoot at ships, were going to knock the hell out of them.\”
Ceasefire with Iran and negotiation tactics
Trump has used sharp threats before earlier deals. Before a two-week ceasefire in April, Trump vowed wider bombing. Trump said U.S. forces would hit Iranian bridges, roads and power plants. Trump also posted an extreme warning online. \”A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.\”
Trump repeated severe warnings before last month’s tentative 60-day deal. The shifting tone could be a pressure tool on Tehran. It may aim to stop attacks on energy shipping in Hormuz. It may also seek Iranian movement on nuclear limits. Yet ending the ceasefire talk could widen military options.
Renewed fighting could shake oil prices and financial markets again. The uncertainty also carried political risks in the United States. Republicans could face pressure before November’s midterm elections. High fuel prices could become a key issue if tensions persist. Mediators continued efforts as military action and diplomacy ran in parallel.
With inputs from PTI
