US Iran ceasefire efforts faced a new breakdown on Wednesday after Donald Trump said the truce was “over” following fresh US strikes on Iran and new oil sanctions.
Bloomberg reported that Trump made the remarks in Ankara while sitting beside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the alliance’s annual summit.
“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said, according to Bloomberg. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time.”
The remarks came after the US launched another wave of strikes against Iran and revoked a waiver that allowed Iranian crude sales.
Washington said the action followed attacks on three commercial ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz. The US blamed Iran for the shipping attacks.
Tehran said the US military strikes and the revocation of the waiver violated the agreement that had halted fighting and opened a 60-day negotiating window.
The Strait of Hormuz remained central to the dispute. Iran has repeatedly said vessels cannot transit the energy route without its permission.
Oil markets reacted to the escalation. Prices had moved back toward pre-conflict levels this month, but they surged again on Tuesday after the US Treasury decision.
Read: Iran Warns of Crushing Response After US Strikes in Southern Iran
A US official said negotiators would continue working toward a final deal. Sticking points include Hormuz traffic tolls, frozen Iranian assets and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Qatar said the next meeting would be scheduled after the funeral processions for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried in Mashhad on July 9.
