Trump Ends Ceasefire, Orders Escalated Strikes
US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran effectively over, stating he no longer wishes to engage with the Iranian leadership. Speaking to reporters alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara, Trump described the Iranians as "sick" and confirmed that American forces had launched strikes "20 times tougher" than previous operations.
"To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. As far as I'm concerned, it's over. I'll speak to our negotiators, they want to negotiate. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them," Trump said.
Iranian Actions Cited as Provocation
Trump justified the escalation by alleging that Iran had violated the ceasefire by firing rockets and attacking ships the previous day. "We said 'Go and do your funeral stuff', and instead of that, they start shooting rockets and ships yesterday. So we hit them very hard last night," he explained.
The President did not provide specific details on the scale or targets of the strikes, but emphasized that the US response was significantly more forceful than prior actions. The remarks mark a sharp departure from earlier diplomatic efforts.
Broader Context and Reactions
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with previous ceasefires having been fragile. Trump's comments were made during a NATO summit, highlighting the alliance's role in regional security. No immediate response from Iranian officials was reported.
This is a developing story; further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
