President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire with Iran over and warned that the US military will 'probably' launch more strikes against the Tehran regime, calling them 'dishonourable' and 'scum'. Speaking at the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, Trump said dealing with Iranians was 'a waste of time' and that the initial ceasefire deal, known as the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, was finished.
Trump's Remarks at Nato Summit
Asked whether attacks would continue, Trump told reporters: 'Normally I wouldn't tell you, but you know what, there's not a thing they can do about it. So, the answer is probably.' He added: 'If we make a deal with Iran, I'm not sure that will stick because I found them to be very dishonourable.' Earlier, he described Iranians as 'sick people' and 'scum'.
The comments came after US forces launched a wave of strikes on Iranian targets in response to Iran's targeting of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated with strikes against Bahrain and Kuwait, where US military personnel are based.
Oil Prices Spike
The latest US strikes and Trump's remarks caused a spike in oil prices, with Brent crude jumping by around 6.5% to $79 a barrel on Wednesday morning, adding to global economic uncertainty. The US also revoked Tehran's licence to sell oil, which had been issued only last month under the interim ceasefire deal.
Nato Declaration and UK Response
A declaration agreed by Nato leaders in Ankara stated that Iran must never have a nuclear weapon and called on Tehran 'to fully respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz'. Downing Street expressed support for continued peace negotiations. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'We've always been clear we support the deal and want to see the ceasefire hold and the talks to continue. Iran's strikes on commercial shipping this week after promising to allow shipping to pass are unacceptable.'
US Central Command Statement
In a statement on X early Wednesday, US Central Command (Centcom) said forces 'completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran, July 7, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.' The strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats. Centcom described Iran's actions as 'unwarranted aggression' and a 'clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire'.
Iranian Response
Iran's Revolutionary Guard confirmed strikes on military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, accusing the 'child-killing and terrorist US army' of violating the ceasefire. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the US of 'major' violations including 'persistent threats of further strikes', 'reinstating oil sanctions', and 'attacks on southern Iran'. He posted on X: 'The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold.'
Impact on Shipping
Three civilian vessels were hit in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the most in a single day since late April, according to UN International Maritime Organisation figures. Maritime authorities raised the threat level from 'substantial' to 'severe'. The renewed hostilities threaten to disrupt shipping through the Gulf channel and complicate efforts for a permanent end to the conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes.
Funeral Ceremonies in Iran
Tensions remain high in Iran as funeral ceremonies were held for former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening attack of the war. Trump said Iran 'deserved' to be hit despite requesting a 'time out' during the funeral period. He stated: 'They really deserve it, because they're saying they want to make a deal, but they don't. You know, they asked for a time out, they wanted to go to the funeral of Khamenei, and I said 'Give it to them', and they start shooting missiles, I mean, it's a crazy thing.'
