Trump: The Ceasefire Between the United States and Iran Has Ended

SadaNews - President Donald Trump stated that the temporary ceasefire with Iran has ended.

Trump said on Wednesday in Ankara, during his participation alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the alliance's annual summit: "For me, I think it's over. From my perspective, it's just a waste of time."

Trump's comments came shortly after the United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran and canceled a waiver that allowed for the sale of Iranian oil. These actions, which were in response to recent attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, led to renewed volatility in energy markets and tested an already fragile peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Trump said: "I don't want to deal with them, but they are scum. Do you know what scum is? They are scum. They are sick people, led by sick people, and they are violent and brutal. If they had a nuclear weapon, they would use it."

However, Trump said he would not prevent negotiators from continuing to communicate and negotiate, despite expressing pessimism about the viability of this path.

He said: "There is something wrong with them; they are crazy." He added: "They can talk, but I think they are wasting their time."

Attacks on 3 Ships in Hormuz

Three ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, and it is believed that Iran is behind the attacks, noting that Tehran has repeatedly stated it will not allow ships to pass through this vital energy corridor without its approval. The cessation of attacks on commercial shipping and the U.S. waiver had been two key elements in a memorandum of understanding that halted fighting between the United States and Iran and established a 60-day negotiation period to reach a broader peace agreement.

Collectively, these developments represent the most serious threat yet to the temporary peace agreement. The United States blamed Iran for the attacks on the ships, while Tehran claimed that military strikes and the cancellation of the waiver constitute a violation of the agreement between the two countries.

Oil prices, which peaked near $125 a barrel in late April, had returned this month to levels close to those before the outbreak of the conflict, with signs of recovery appearing. However, prices rose again on Tuesday following a decision by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Negotiations Continue Between Washington and Tehran

An American official stated that negotiators will continue to work towards a final agreement between Washington and Tehran, although the prospects for reaching a broader agreement remained uncertain even before the recent escalation. Several outstanding issues remain, including future tolls on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran resumed last week after exchanges of strikes between the two countries. However, negotiations were halted again amid Iran holding a week-long public mourning ceremony for the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the first day of the conflict in late February.

Qatar stated that the next meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible after the mourning ceremonies conclude. Khamenei is set to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad on July 9.

Trump had confirmed that he preferred to reach an agreement with Iran, but he also threatened to resume strikes if that did not happen. The war has harmed the political standing of the American president at a sensitive time for his party, which faces a tough battle to maintain control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections in November.

The rise in energy prices has also increased voter concerns about living costs, as Trump's approval ratings approach historical lows, with growing dissatisfaction over his handling of the economy and the war. Trump asserts that the end of hostilities will soon lead to lower fuel prices for Americans, and that gains in the stock market will support family conditions, although it remains unclear how quickly energy flows will return to pre-war levels.