Donald Trump has declared he believes the ceasefire with Iran is 'over' after the US launched strikes on Iran overnight and Tehran responded with attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. Speaking at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump described Iran as 'scum' and stated, 'As far as I'm concerned it [the ceasefire] is over.'
US Strikes on Iran
The U.S. military's Central Command said American forces launched strikes overnight 'to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.' The strikes hit Iranian targets including air defense systems, radars, and over 60 small boats used by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. These boats have been key to threatening ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas passed before the war.
Iranian Retaliation
Hours after the US revoked a license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil in retaliation for Tehran's attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran struck back with attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. The escalation marks a significant breakdown in the ceasefire that had been in place.
Impact and Reactions
The developments have heightened tensions across the Middle East, with concerns over further military escalation and disruptions to global oil supplies. Trump's comments at the NATO summit underscore the administration's hardline stance against Iran. The White House has not yet issued an official statement on the next steps.
