BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran have agreed to continue diplomatic discussions despite a sharp escalation in military tensions this week, while declaring that the ceasefire reached between the two countries last month is no longer in effect.
Trump’s comments came as the conflict in the Gulf entered a new and uncertain phase, with renewed military strikes, heightened security concerns across the Middle East, and growing fears that instability in one of the world’s most important energy-producing regions could disrupt global oil supplies and place additional pressure on the world economy.
The United States also intensified its demands that Iran immediately halt attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically vital maritime corridor through which a significant portion of the world’s oil exports passes each day.
The security of the waterway has become a major concern for global energy markets after recent attacks on commercial vessels sent oil prices sharply higher. Rising fuel costs have emerged as an increasingly sensitive political issue for the Trump administration ahead of the November congressional elections, as higher gasoline prices continue to affect American consumers.
Despite the week’s violence, Friday passed without any new reported attacks, providing a temporary pause in hostilities while regional mediators worked to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing a wider conflict.
The latest escalation followed attacks on three commercial oil tankers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, incidents that prompted the United States to launch strikes against Iranian targets. Iran subsequently retaliated by carrying out attacks against U.S. military facilities located in several Gulf states, raising concerns that the conflict could rapidly expand across the region.
The current war began on February 28 following coordinated U.S. and Israeli military strikes against targets inside Iran. Since then, repeated exchanges of military action have heightened regional instability and complicated international efforts to broker a lasting peace.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, President Trump said Iran had expressed interest in continuing diplomatic engagement with Washington and that the United States had agreed to proceed with further discussions.
At the same time, Trump declared that the ceasefire negotiated last month had effectively ended.
According to the president, the United States made clear to Iranian officials that the previous ceasefire agreement was no longer considered active despite ongoing diplomatic contacts.
Iran disputed Trump’s characterization of recent diplomatic developments.
Iranian state television reported that Tehran had not requested direct talks with the United States. Instead, Iranian officials said they had agreed to receive a Qatari mediator who is attempting to reduce tensions and facilitate discussions aimed at preventing further military escalation.
A person familiar with the diplomatic efforts said Qatari negotiators met with Iranian officials on Friday to discuss possible measures to ease regional tensions, including arrangements concerning navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway has become one of the central issues in ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Before the conflict erupted, approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Any disruption to shipping through the narrow passage has immediate consequences for international energy markets and global inflation.
Senior U.S. officials said Washington is demanding that Iran publicly commit to ending attacks on commercial vessels operating in the strait and guarantee unrestricted access for international shipping without imposing tolls or other restrictions.
Officials argue that restoring confidence in the safety of the waterway is essential to stabilizing global energy supplies and reducing pressure on oil prices.
During the conflict, Iran has exercised significant influence over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, creating a prolonged standoff with the United States and its allies while complicating international shipping operations.
President Trump also issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Tehran regarding threats against his personal safety.
In another statement on social media, Trump said he had directed the U.S. military to prepare overwhelming retaliatory action should Iran carry out or attempt any assassination plot targeting him.
The president declared that American military forces had been placed on standby and warned that any attack against him would trigger a massive military response against Iran.
Trump’s warning followed reports published this week by several U.S. news organizations indicating that Israeli intelligence had shared information with Washington alleging that Iranian officials had recently discussed plans targeting the U.S. president.
Iran did not immediately respond publicly to Trump’s latest statements concerning those allegations.
The increasingly hostile rhetoric comes amid heightened anti-American sentiment inside Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed during an airstrike carried out on the opening day of the conflict. During funeral ceremonies held on Thursday, thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects, with some participants carrying banners expressing hostility toward President Trump.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity has continued despite the military confrontation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi traveled to Oman on Saturday for discussions focused on ensuring safe maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian media reports.
Oman has frequently served as an intermediary between Iran and Western governments during previous regional crises and remains one of several countries seeking to facilitate dialogue between the opposing sides.
The humanitarian impact of the renewed fighting has also continued to grow.
According to Iran’s Health Ministry, U.S. military strikes carried out across six Iranian cities on Wednesday and Thursday killed at least 17 people and wounded another 115.
The casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Despite the continued exchanges of military action, U.S. officials said recent diplomatic communications between Washington and Tehran have remained constructive and suggested that negotiations are continuing even as fighting persists.
Iran has warned that any violation of commitments made by the United States would result in what officials described as reciprocal action, according to statements carried by Iranian state media.
The ceasefire agreement reached last month had been intended as the first step toward ending a conflict that has now entered its fifth month.
The war has resulted in thousands of deaths, disrupted global energy markets, strained international shipping routes, and heightened concerns about the possibility of a broader economic slowdown driven by higher fuel prices and increased geopolitical uncertainty.
Financial markets have closely monitored developments throughout the week as renewed fighting in the Gulf pushed crude oil prices sharply higher.
After several weeks of declining prices, oil recorded its largest weekly increase in nearly two months as investors reacted to fears that additional disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could threaten global energy supplies.
The sharp rise in oil prices has increased concerns about inflation, transportation costs, and fuel expenses for consumers around the world, particularly in the United States, where gasoline prices remain a closely watched political and economic issue.
Although diplomatic channels remain open, Trump’s declaration that the previous ceasefire is over underscores the fragile nature of relations between Washington and Tehran. With military operations continuing alongside diplomatic negotiations, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether the two countries can prevent another major escalation while working toward a broader agreement to restore stability in the Gulf region.
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