US President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire between the US and Iran to be 'over' following a series of attacks in the Middle East. Trump made the comments during a press conference at the NATO Summit in Turkey.
The ceasefire collapsed last night after the US struck multiple commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on 85 US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. The US had previously accused Iran of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Trump described Iran as 'scum' and 'sick people' and stated that he did not want to deal with them anymore. He also said that talks with Iran would be a waste of time, as they are 'a bunch of lying guys'. Trump's comments caused oil prices to rise, from $76 to $78.
The US had previously accused Iran of launching a one-way attack drone that hit a Panama-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had accused the US of breaching the ceasefire agreement, citing ongoing Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a point of contention between the two countries. Iran had previously said that the waterway was 'closed' again and that ships must seek permission to use it. The country had also raised the prospect of future charges for passing through it.
Trump's comments have raised tensions between the US and Iran, and it remains to be seen whether the ceasefire can be salvaged.
Smoke rises from a fire after an explosion in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran, as seen in a social media image.
The US and Iran have accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The US had signed a peace agreement with Iran in late June, but the agreement has been under strain since then.
The conflict between the US and Iran has had significant implications for the global oil market. Oil prices have risen in response to the escalating tensions between the two countries.
The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear what the future holds for the US and Iran.
