Iran Tensions Escalate After Trump Says Memorandum to End War Is Over
US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran to be “over” at the NATO summit in Ankara, hours after the United States launched fresh military strikes on Iranian targets in the Gulf region, intensifying Iran tensions across multiple fronts. [1] [5]
Trump Declares Ceasefire Over
US President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran was “over,” delivering a blistering attack on Tehran just hours after the US launched fresh military strikes on the Islamic Republic. [1] Trump told reporters on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Ankara when asked whether the ceasefire was “done” that he thinks it is over. [1] Trump stated he does not want to deal with Iran anymore, calling Iranian leaders “scum,” “sick people,” “vicious” and “violent.” [4] [5] Trump said negotiations with Tehran were a “waste of time.” [5] Trump’s remarks came in response to the journalist who asked if the ceasefire with Iran was “done” and the 14-point MoU was “dead.” [5] “For me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with the Iranians. They are scum, they are sick people. They are led by sick people and are vicious, violent people,” said Trump in the live broadcast. [5] “We attacked, very powerfully last night, the very dangerous people from Iran... There’s something wrong with them. We say, ‘Go and do your funeral stuff,’ and instead of that, they start shooting rockets at ships yesterday. So we hit them very hard last night,” Trump told reporters on the recent US strikes against Tehran. [5]
US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran
US forces struck Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor, said the CENTCOM statement. [5] These strikes were in retaliation after Iran allegedly targeted three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz: the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. [5] The US conducted offensive strikes targeting Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats near the Strait of Hormuz. [5] In a statement from the US Central Command, Washington confirmed it carried out a new round of “offensive strikes” against Iran. [5]
Iranian Retaliation and Renewed Attacks
In response, Iran launched fresh attacks on US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and other Gulf countries. [5] Fresh fighting erupted between the US and Tehran after Washington launched fresh strikes in the region. [5] Iran responded to the US strikes by launching fresh attacks on US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and other Gulf countries. [5] While we wait for a comment from the Iranian regime and IRGC, fresh fighting erupted between the US and Tehran after Washington launched fresh strikes in the region. [5]
Revocation of Iranian Oil Sales Waiver
The US Treasury Department has announced it will no longer allow Iranian oil sales to be conducted in US dollars on global markets after several tankers were hit by projectiles while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. [2] The US Treasury Department revoked the waiver allowing Iranian oil sales to be conducted in US dollars on global markets, leaving more than 60 million barrels of Iranian crude stranded at sea. [2] The move has left more than 60 million barrels of Iranian crude stranded at sea without any clear buyers. [2]
Context of the Memorandum of Understanding
Trump’s remarks also come after the US launched fresh strikes against Iran on late Tuesday, reigniting tensions. [5] Trump says deal with Iran to end war is over. [3] Trump says memorandum of understanding with Iran to end war is “over.” [4] Trump’s remarks came in response to the journalist who asked if the ceasefire with Iran was “done” and the 14-point MoU was “dead.” [5] “I don’t want to deal with them any more.” [1] “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum,” US president says. [4]
Ongoing Tensions in the Gulf
Iran tensions have escalated following the sequence of US strikes and Iranian responses in the Gulf region. [5] Donald Trump declares ceasefire with Iran is “over.” [1] US President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran was “over,” delivering a blistering attack on Tehran just hours after the US launched fresh military strikes on the Islamic Republic. [1] The US Treasury Department has announced it will no longer allow Iranian oil sales to be conducted in US dollars on global markets after several tankers were hit by projectiles while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. [2] Trump says deal with Iran to end war is over. [3] Trump says memorandum of understanding with Iran to end war is “over.” [4] In response, Iran launched fresh attacks on US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and other Gulf countries. [5] Track LIVE updates here. [5]
What to watch next: Further statements from the Iranian regime and IRGC on the resumed fighting, along with any additional CENTCOM updates on strikes targeting Iranian capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
