Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire with Iran is 'over' while simultaneously agreeing to continue peace negotiations. The US president made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that Iran had requested further talks and the US had agreed, but emphasised that the ceasefire was terminated.
Background of renewed hostilities
The breakdown follows recent exchanges of fire over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which had tested the fragile truce. No group has claimed responsibility for airstrikes that hit Iran after the US said it had concluded its attacks. Trump earlier this week branded Tehran's leadership 'scum' and described dealing with the regime as 'a waste of time'.
Renewed hostilities erupted on Tuesday when Iran targeted three tankers in the strait, a persistent flashpoint. The trading of strikes has caused severe disruption to maritime traffic in the critical sea route, casting doubt on securing a permanent end to the conflict that began on February 28 with US and Israeli operations.
US military counters Iranian claims
The US military moved to counter claims by Iranian state media 'that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is only permitted through routes designated by Iran'. US Central Command fact-checked this on X, stating: 'Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since early May, US forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through the vital international trade corridor.'
However, this represents only a fraction of pre-war traffic, when on average nearly 140 ships a day made the crossing. Ending Tehran's stranglehold on the strait, which disrupted global oil and gas supplies and drove up fuel and food prices, had been a key demand in previous negotiations.
Fragile deal and ongoing tensions
The initial US-Iran deal only provides for safe, toll-free passage of the waterway for 60 days, pending a final agreement on Tehran's disputed nuclear plans. In the meantime, Iran has continued to exert leverage, including demanding ships seek permission to transit and raising the prospect of future charges.
Trump's latest post on Truth Social read: '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!'
