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United States President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire arrangement with Iran effectively finished, launching a scathing attack on the country’s leadership following a fresh escalation in military confrontations.
Speaking before the opening of the NATO Summit in Turkey, President Trump dismissed prospects for further diplomacy, saying additional negotiations held little value despite leaving the door open for US officials to continue discussions if they chose.
Global energy markets reacted swiftly, with crude oil prices climbing by about six percent after the president’s remarks.
However, prices remained significantly lower than levels recorded when the Strait of Hormuz was completely shut to maritime traffic.
The latest deterioration came after both nations resumed military operations late Tuesday into Wednesday, marking the most intense exchange since an interim understanding reached in June sought to halt hostilities and safeguard commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
President Trump accused Tehran of failing to honour commitments made during negotiations, insisting the Iranian authorities had undermined diplomatic efforts by publicly denying aspects of the discussions.
The renewed violence followed attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the United States Central Command confirmed it had carried out major military operations targeting Iranian positions.
Iran later announced retaliatory strikes against American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait. Washington also reinstated sanctions on Iranian oil exports after previously granting temporary relief.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of violating the June memorandum governing the temporary reduction in tensions.
He argued that recent American military actions and other measures had breached the agreed framework, insisting Iran would not yield to external pressure.
This is not the first collapse in calm since the memorandum was signed on 17 June.
Days later, American forces launched attacks after an Iranian projectile struck a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, although both governments subsequently agreed to de-escalate.
The memorandum required an immediate halt to military operations and called on Iran to ensure the uninterrupted movement of commercial ships through the vital shipping lane for 60 days.
Efforts to negotiate a lasting settlement had continued until they were suspended following funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the opening phase of the US-Israeli military campaign.
Commemorative events are continuing in Iraq, while the final burial ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Mashhad on Thursday.
It remains uncertain whether diplomatic engagement will resume after the latest violence.
President Trump indicated he had little interest in reviving the talks, maintaining that continued engagement with Tehran no longer served a meaningful purpose.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong