Home > World > Middle East

Trump says Iran ceasefire 'is over'

AFP

US President Donald Trump joins NATO leaders for a family photo during the NATO Summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026. Photo: AFP

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the ceasefire with Iran was "over" after the two sides traded fire, but added that negotiators could keep talking to Tehran.

Trump blasted Iran as "scum" and "cuckoo" after Washington launched strikes on the Islamic Republic overnight and Iran's Guards said they had targeted US bases in the Gulf.

Oil prices jumped five percent after Trump's remarks.

"I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them any more, they're scum," Trump said at a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara when asked if the truce with Iran was now finished.

"They're scum, they're sick people, they're led by sick people, and they're vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

Trump said he would speak to businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have been dealing with the Iranians, but insisted it was up to Tehran to return to the table.

"Frankly, I don't want to waste my time with them. Now, I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it," Trump said.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars."

Trump accused the Iranians of repeatedly misrepresenting what had been agreed in the ceasefire that Washington and Tehran signed on June 17.

"Everyone's agreed, no nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, joke to the press, they say we never even talked about it. There's something wrong with them, they're cuckoo," Trump added.

NATO chief Mark Rutte, with whom Trump was meeting when he made the comments, backed the US strikes on Iran.

"I think what you did last night was absolutely necessary. It was a very strong response, and I'm with you on this," Rutte told reporters.

'Not happy'

But despite Rutte's efforts to placate Trump -- whom he called "Daddy" at a NATO summit last year -- the US leader again hit out at NATO for failing to get involved in the Iran war.

"I'm not happy with NATO because of the fact that they didn't want to help us with the number one state sponsor of terror, that's Iran. They were unwilling to help us," Trump said.

"I spoke with UK, and the prime minister said, 'well, we don't want to help you now, but we'll help you when the war is over.' I said that's not good. And likewise, I spoke to Germany, they didn't want to help. Spoke to France, didn't want to help."

The US military said it had struck over 80 targets including Iranian speedboats in response to Iranian attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Nearly 10000 died in Europe heatwave, with 5120 deaths in Germany

Floods and Cobras: Double Disaster as 900 Snakes Escape Submerged Farm in China

US Strikes 170 Targets in Iran Over Two Days; 14 Killed

US launches strikes on 80+ Iranian targets near Strait of Hormuz amid funeral

Spain declares top heat alert in three regions

South Korean law targeting false online information takes effect

Zimbabwe restores power after national grid collapse

Two blasts near Damascus hotel

Sri Lanka opens prison riot probe as toll rises to 27

Millions gather as Khamenei funeral procession begins in Tehran