Trump shuts door on Iran ceasefire, raising doubts over diplomatic path

Synopsis

President Trump stated the United States informed Iran that the ceasefire is now over. Tehran has requested continued negotiations, which Washington has agreed to pursue. This declaration follows renewed military strikes between the two nations this week. The hostilities began after US strikes responded to attacks on commercial shipping. Indirect negotiations had previously failed to achieve a lasting agreement between them.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States had informed Iran that the ceasefire between the two countries was "over", even as Tehran sought to continue negotiations following renewed fighting this week.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER! Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Also Read: Trump claims he's Tehran's 'top target' amid renewed Iran conflict

Trump's remarks reinforce the hardline position he took earlier this week at the NATO summit in Ankara, where he declared that the ceasefire brokered after weeks of conflict had effectively collapsed following a fresh exchange of military strikes between the United States and Iran.

The renewed hostilities followed U.S. strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, after indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran failed to produce progress toward a permanent agreement. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes, further undermining the interim accord reached last month.

Trump's latest comments suggest Washington intends to continue diplomatic contacts with Tehran while making clear that it no longer considers the ceasefire framework to be in effect.