President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States has agreed to continue diplomatic talks with Iran, but simultaneously declared that the existing ceasefire between the two nations has officially ended.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump stated: “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!”
Trump’s statement follows days of strikes and counterstrikes, which erupted after Tehran fired at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz — which has been partially reopened to international shipping — and remains a bone of contention as Iran believes the key waterway is under its control.
This was the second time the U.S. and Iran resorted to strikes since the two sides entered an interim peace deal, which aimed at ending attacks in the region, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and allowing the two sides to address high-stakes nuclear and sanctions issues.
However, Trump’s latest statement indicates that Washington no longer considers the Pakistan-mediated ceasefire valid.
Iran launched strikes on U.S. military installations in neighboring Gulf states .
The flare-up in tensions has deeply hurt prospects for regional stability and global oil supplies from the energy-rich Gulf region.
Speaking amid exchange of fire during a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said the ceasefire was “over” as far as he was concerned.
Pakistan and Turkey have reportedly launched diplomatic effort to rescue the peace agreement, which received worldwide endorsement as a step toward ending the conflict that broke out on February 28, toppling the global energy supplies, and fueling fears of serious economic repercussions for countries around the world.
Muhammad Luqman is Associate Editor at Views News Now. He writes on wide-ranging issues including economy, South Asia, the Middle East, agriculture, economy and innovation. Luqman has worked some of the leading news organizations and won acclaim for his original and research-based works.
