July 8 (THEWILL) — United States President, Donald Trump, on Wednesday declared that the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran was effectively “over” following renewed military exchanges between the two countries.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said he had lost confidence in the interim accord signed between the United States and Iran
“For me, I think it’s over. It’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” Trump said when asked about the agreement, while maintaining that negotiations between both countries would nevertheless continue.
The latest remarks came amid a sharp escalation in tensions following renewed exchanges of fire between U.S. and Iranian forces, raising fresh concerns over the future of diplomatic efforts initiated only weeks ago.
The conflict intensified after the United States carried out what Trump previously described as “major combat operations” against Iran on February 28, involving extensive joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, government facilities, and strategic infrastructure.
Although both countries signed a memorandum of understanding last month as the basis for negotiations intended to end the conflict, hostilities have persisted.
Limited military exchanges occurred in late June despite ongoing peace talks, casting doubt on the durability of the agreement.
The situation deteriorated further after Iranian forces allegedly targeted commercial vessels transiting the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to launch a new wave of retaliatory strikes.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), American forces struck more than 80 targets inside Iran during the latest operation, describing the action as a response to attacks on international shipping.
Iran subsequently announced retaliatory missile attacks against U.S. military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, saying the operations were conducted in response to the latest American strikes.
Senior U.S. officials said Trump spent part of Tuesday consulting his national security team during the NATO summit before authorising the military response.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, to determine Washington’s response to Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.
A U.S. official said the strikes were “a direct result of the acts of international terrorism that have been perpetrated by Iran on innocent ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The Iranians know the consequences to their ridiculous actions, yet they still chose to carry out these attacks,” the official added.
Meanwhile, Iranian negotiators have accused Washington of committing major violations of the memorandum of understanding that formed the basis of the ongoing peace negotiations, further complicating efforts to reach a lasting settlement.
Despite Trump’s declaration that the interim agreement is effectively finished, officials on both sides have indicated that diplomatic contacts remain open, leaving the possibility of further negotiations even as military confrontations continue.
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