United States President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire between the US and Iran effectively over, describing Iran’s leadership as “scum” and “sick people” following a fresh exchange of military strikes that shattered weeks of fragile calm in the Gulf.
Speaking to reporters during the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said he no longer believed further engagement with Tehran was worthwhile, insisting the ceasefire had collapsed despite leaving the door open for negotiators to continue discussions.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over,” Trump said. “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people.”
He added that while members of his negotiating team could continue talks with Iranian officials, he believed further negotiations would be futile.
“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
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The comments came hours after the United States said it launched strikes on more than 80 targets in Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for the tanker attacks.
In response, Iran announced strikes against US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, marking the most serious escalation since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending hostilities.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte defended the American military action, describing the strikes as “absolutely necessary” and accusing Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, rejected the accusation, insisting it was the United States that breached the truce.
The renewed hostilities have also heightened concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
The International Maritime Organization has urged commercial shipping operators to avoid transiting the waterway until the security situation improves.
The latest escalation has pushed global oil prices higher and raised fears of a broader regional conflict, with several Gulf states reporting interceptions of missiles and drones launched during the overnight exchanges.
