Trump declares US-Iran ceasefire over as new strikes hit more than 80 targets
At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump said the preliminary peace deal with Iran had ended, after US forces struck over 80 targets in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
Ceasefire unravels
The 60-day truce brokered by Pakistan in mid-June was meant to give negotiators time to reach a permanent agreement. Indirect talks in Qatar broke down last week with no progress, and on Tuesday night US Central Command launched a new wave of strikes on Iran. CENTCOM said the operation was a response to Iranian attacks on merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The aggression demonstrated by Iran was unjustified, dangerous and constituted a clear violation of the ceasefire.
Trump speaks at NATO summit
Speaking to reporters on the second day of the NATO gathering in Ankara, Trump said he considered the deal dead. "I think it's over. I don't want anything to do with them," he said. He called Iranian leaders "scum" and "sick people," adding that "talking to them is simply a waste of time." He also claimed the US strikes were "20 times stronger than Iran's retaliatory attacks."
They are sick, something is wrong with them. They are bad, sick people and we must get rid of them, it's cancer. You know what to do? You have to cut out the cancer early.
Strikes and retaliation
The US operation hit more than 80 targets with precision munitions, according to CENTCOM. Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, and on Qeshm Island. Hours later, Iran struck back, launching attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
- US and Iran sign a 60-day ceasefire mediated by Pakistan, with a window for permanent peace talks.
- Indirect talks in Qatar end without progress.
- US forces launch strikes on more than 80 targets in Iran in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships.
- Trump, at the NATO summit in Ankara, declares the ceasefire over and calls Iranian leaders 'sick people.'
- Iran retaliates with attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait.
NATO chief backs US response
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking at the same summit, endorsed the American action. "I believe it is absolutely crucial that the United States responds firmly," he said. The alliance has not issued a formal statement, but Rutte's remarks signal support for Washington's stance.
I believe it is absolutely crucial that the United States responds firmly.
