U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the interim ceasefire agreement with Iran was “over” on Wednesday, following a new escalation in attacks targeting commercial shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the remarks while attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, where he met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and other alliance leaders. His statement came hours after the United States launched a major round of strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks on commercial vessels passing through the strategic waterway.
“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said when asked whether the ceasefire agreement with Iran was still in effect.
“I don’t want to deal with them anymore,” he added, describing further negotiations as “a waste of time.”
Trump said U.S. representatives could still hold talks with Iran, but he expressed little confidence that diplomacy would lead to a breakthrough. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
The president’s remarks marked the sharpest indication yet that the fragile U.S.-Iran understanding, which had temporarily reduced direct military confrontation, may have collapsed.
Series of Attacks Raises Tensions
The latest escalation began after at least three commercial vessels were reportedly attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and carries a major share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports.
Iran was accused of targeting the vessels amid growing tensions over shipping controls and future transit fees in the strait. Tehran had reportedly demanded greater authority over vessel routes and passage conditions, creating friction with the United States and other countries that support unrestricted international navigation.
In response, the U.S. military carried out more than 80 strikes against Iranian targets overnight, according to reports. The attacks reportedly focused on military facilities and other sites linked to Iran’s ability to conduct operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran later claimed that the U.S. strikes had triggered retaliatory attacks against American military positions in the Gulf region, including sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. The developments raised fears of a broader regional conflict involving U.S. forces and Iran-backed groups.
The renewed hostilities also sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Oil prices surged nearly 6% after Trump’s comments, as investors worried that escalating violence could disrupt crude oil supplies from the Gulf region.
A Ceasefire That Lasted Only Weeks
The ceasefire, described by officials as an interim understanding or memorandum of understanding, was reached in June after months of conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The agreement was intended to reduce attacks on commercial shipping, allow safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz and create space for a 60-day negotiation period toward a broader peace deal.
As part of the understanding, the U.S. had allowed Iran to continue limited oil sales under a waiver, while both sides agreed to avoid direct attacks that could further destabilize the region.
However, the arrangement remained fragile from the beginning. While it reduced the immediate risk of a full-scale confrontation, tensions continued over Iran’s nuclear program, U.S. sanctions, regional military activity and maritime security.
Following the latest tanker attacks, Washington revoked the oil-sales waiver and launched fresh strikes, signaling that the ceasefire framework had effectively broken down.
Trump’s declaration from Turkey now raises questions over whether the United States and Iran will return to direct military confrontation or whether diplomatic channels can still prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
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