Key facts
- U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an interim peace deal with Iran is over.
- Trump warned that the U.S. administration might reimpose a naval blockade of Iran.
- The U.S. military conducted strikes on over 80 Iranian targets in response to recent attacks on commercial vessels.
- The U.S. and Iran had previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend a ceasefire and initiate negotiations.
- Trump downplayed concerns about a potential return to full-scale war with Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that an interim peace deal with Iran is "over," signaling a potential return to harsher measures, including the reimposition of a naval blockade against the Islamic Republic. These statements were made during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, following U.S. military strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets. The U.S. stated these strikes were a response to Iran's recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's remarks came as he met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where he strongly criticized Iranian leaders. He was responding to a reporter's question about the status of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last month between the U.S. and Iran. This MOU had extended a ceasefire for 60 days, allowing free passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and initiating negotiations for a final agreement to end a protracted war.
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump sought to downplay fears of a full-scale war resuming. He stated, "I don't think it's going to start again," and added that the U.S. had retaliated much more forcefully after Iran's actions. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously revoked a general license authorizing Iranian oil sales, preceding the military strikes. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre had reported incidents involving three tankers being struck by unidentified projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz.
During a press conference, Trump defended the U.S. operation as a "tremendous military success" and reiterated the U.S. objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also indicated that further strikes against Iran were probable, stating, "We will probably hit them hard again tonight."
Earlier, on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterated his warning about the potential for the U.S. Navy to reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports, a measure that had been lifted following the MOU signing.