The US-Iran ceasefire appeared to unravel on Wednesday after President Donald Trump declared the truce “over”, following overnight military exchanges between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking at the Nato summit in Ankara, Trump said he no longer believed negotiations with Iran were worthwhile, despite indicating that diplomatic contacts could continue.
“I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum,” Trump told reporters. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
He added that negotiators could continue talking but dismissed further discussions as “a waste of time”.
Strikes exchanged overnight
The latest escalation followed overnight US strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets, which Washington said were carried out in response to attacks on three commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has not directly claimed responsibility for the tanker attacks.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait.
The exchange marks the most serious breakdown in relations since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on 17 June aimed at extending a ceasefire and ending hostilities.
Both sides accuse each other of breaching truce
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the US military action, describing the strikes as “absolutely necessary” and accusing Iran of violating the ceasefire.
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected that claim, instead accusing the United States of breaching the agreement.
Iranian officials also hardened their position on the Strait of Hormuz, with senior lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi insisting there was “no alternative” but for countries to recognise what he described as “the new Iranian order” in the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained one of the most contentious issues in ceasefire negotiations, with disagreements over shipping access and security continuing despite last month’s agreement.
Thousands of sailors remain stranded
The renewed fighting has heightened concerns over maritime safety in the Gulf.
International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said around 6,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard hundreds of vessels unable to leave the Persian Gulf safely.
He urged all parties to de-escalate the conflict, warning that recent attacks on commercial shipping had intensified uncertainty and psychological pressure on crews.
Oil prices climb as tensions escalate
Global oil markets reacted swiftly after Trump’s remarks.
Oil prices, which had already risen following the overnight strikes, climbed further after the US president declared the ceasefire over, reflecting growing fears of prolonged instability around one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
US defence chief cancels Israel visit
Amid the renewed tensions, the BBC understands that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has cancelled a planned visit to Israel following the Nato summit.
Neither Washington nor Israel has publicly commented on the decision.
According to reports, the visit had been expected to include discussions over Israeli concerns regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
Also read: Mitsotakis: Greece faces lasting threat from Turkey
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
