US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire with Iran has effectively ended following fresh military exchanges between American forces and the Islamic Republic.
Speaking on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump launched a fresh verbal attack on Iran after the United States carried out overnight strikes and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced retaliatory attacks on US military bases in the Gulf.
The renewed tensions rattled global markets, with oil prices climbing by about five percent following the president’s remarks.
Responding to questions about the status of the truce, Trump said he no longer considered the agreement active.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them any more, they’re scum,” Trump said.
“They’re scum, they’re sick people, they’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
Trump also revealed that he intended to consult businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom have been involved in discussions with Iranian officials. However, he maintained that the responsibility now lies with Tehran to revive negotiations.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them. They’re liars.”
The US president further accused Iranian officials of failing to honour the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached on June 17, alleging that they had misrepresented the deal after it was signed.
“Everyone’s agreed, no nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, joke to the press, they say we never even talked about it. There’s something wrong with them, they’re cuckoo,” Trump added.
