Iran war: Trump says ceasefire 'over' after fresh strikes; calls talks with Tehran a 'waste of time'

BY: Mary Rose Baba

Publish: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 (15:08 IST) Updated: Wed, 8 Jul 2026 (15:10 IST)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared that the ceasefire and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran were effectively "over," saying he no longer wished to negotiate with Tehran following a sharp escalation in hostilities across the Gulf.

Trump used harsh language while referring to Iran's leadership, saying, "I don't want to deal with them anymore, they're scum."

Speaking to reporters alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump questioned the value of any further diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's over. It's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars... There is something wrong with them. They are cuckoo," Trump said, signalling what appeared to be the collapse of the preliminary understanding reached between Washington and Tehran.

His remarks came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched missile and drone attacks on US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait. Tehran said the strikes were retaliation for recent US attacks on southern Iran and Washington's decision to tighten sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

The escalation followed an announcement by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said American forces had carried out a series of "powerful" strikes against targets inside Iran after Tehran allegedly attacked at least three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran's demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire," CENTCOM said in a statement.

Trump accused Iran of violating the ceasefire by targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated that he saw little purpose in continuing negotiations. 

"They can talk, but I think they're wasting their time. Frankly, I don't want to waste my time with them," Trump said, referring to US negotiators. "I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it."

The US President also described Iran's leadership as "evil" and "a cancer" that must be confronted before it becomes a greater threat. He again repeated Washington's long-standing position that Iran should never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iran's Foreign Ministry, however, blamed the United States for the latest escalation, accusing Washington of "treaty-breaking."

In an official statement, Tehran said US military strikes, renewed sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and continued regional military operations had rendered key provisions of the agreement ineffective. It maintained that responsibility for the deterioration of the situation rested with Washington.