Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire 'Over' But Says Talks Will Continue

Former President Donald Trump declared Friday that a ceasefire with Iran is "OVER!" even as he said the United States agreed to continue diplomatic talks, injecting fresh uncertainty into a region rocked by renewed military conflict. The statement follows a week of direct hostilities that has roiled global energy markets.

Ceasefire Ends Amid Diplomatic Efforts

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "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!"

Iran disputed this characterization, stating it had not requested direct talks but had agreed to host a Qatari mediator in Tehran, according to its Foreign Ministry spokesperson cited by state television. A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Qatari negotiators were in Iran on Friday to de-escalate tensions.

Meanwhile, senior U.S. officials have stepped up demands that Iran publicly guarantee safe passage for all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "They’re either going to give us that statement or we’re not having a good outcome for them," one official said.

Market Reacts to Renewed Tensions

The escalating hostilities have sent ripples through global commodity markets, with crude oil prices posting their largest weekly increase in eight weeks. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint that handled approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments before the conflict began on February 28.

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Concerns over supply disruptions are mounting as U.S. fuel stockpiles tighten. According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. gasoline inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels last week, putting them nearly 10 million barrels below the five-year average for this time of year.

Background: A Week of Escalation

Trump’s announcement caps a volatile week of direct military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. The recent flare-up included:

• Attacks on three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Subsequent U.S. strikes on military sites inside Iran in response.
• Iranian counter-strikes targeting U.S. military sites in Gulf states on Thursday.

According to Iran’s Health Ministry, the U.S. strikes on Wednesday and Thursday killed at least 17 people and wounded 115 across six cities in Iran.