Two days after declaring that the interim memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran had come to an end, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed on Friday that the ceasefire between the two countries was no longer in effect, even as Washington agreed to continue diplomatic engagement at Tehran's request.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States had consented to further peace discussions only because Iran sought to keep the dialogue going, while making it clear that the ceasefire itself had been terminated.
"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!" he wrote on Truth Social.
His latest remarks followed a week of escalating hostilities in which three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire. The incidents prompted US strikes on Iranian sites, after which Iran launched attacks on US military installations in neighbouring Gulf states on Thursday. No further attacks were reported on Friday.
Reuters reported that Qatari officials were expected to hold talks with Iranian counterparts on Friday in an effort to reduce tensions after the recent exchange of fire and to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump had earlier described the April 8 ceasefire—which brought weeks of full-scale fighting to a halt but was repeatedly disrupted by lower-intensity clashes—as finished. During those remarks, he also referred to Iranian officials as "scum" and "sick people".
The US president said he intended to speak with businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom have been involved in contacts with the Iranians, while maintaining that the next move rested with Tehran if it wanted negotiations to resume.
"For me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore," Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. "It's just a waste of time dealing with them."
"They're scum. You know what scum is? They're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people. And they're vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over," he added.
Although Trump indicated that American officials could continue discussions with Iran, he questioned whether those efforts would lead anywhere.
"They can talk, but I think they're wasting their time," he said.
Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz carried roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. Since the war, Tehran has largely asserted control over the strategic waterway, resulting in a prolonged standoff with the world's most powerful military.
