Story
Trump Declares Interim Iran Peace Deal 'Over' After New Strikes
Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump stated an interim peace agreement with Iran is "over" following an exchange of military strikes in the Gulf. The renewed conflict has sent oil prices sharply higher and jeopardizes a recent ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared a temporary agreement to end the war with Iran was "over" after Tehran launched new attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf. The escalation, which included retaliatory U.S. strikes, has undermined a fragile ceasefire established by a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 and has diminished hopes for a permanent peace deal.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara before a NATO summit, Trump said, "To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them." The remarks followed a significant flare-up in which Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they targeted U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. This action was reportedly in response to recent U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, which the U.S. said were themselves a response to attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated its operation targeted more than 60 small boats used by the IRGC, among other assets, to impose a "heavy cost on Iran for strikes on shipping in violation of the ceasefire." In addition to military action, the U.S. revoked a temporary license that had allowed Iran to sell oil. The renewed hostilities caused an immediate market reaction, with Brent crude oil futures jumping more than 5%.
AdBoth nations have exchanged blame for the breakdown. An Iranian negotiator, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire with its military strikes and renewed oil sanctions. Conversely, CENTCOM called the Iranian attacks a "clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire." European officials also expressed concern, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating the events "further complicate already fraught talks to end the war."