Trump declares Iran ceasefire 'is over' after exchange of fresh strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran "is over," speaking at the NATO summit in Turkey while meeting with alliance chief Mark Rutte. His remarks came hours after the United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes following Tehran's reported attack on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

What did Trump say about the Iran ceasefire?

Trump said he believes the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is over, after Iran struck commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in violation of its terms. He said negotiations could continue despite the declaration, though he called Iranian leaders liars and described them as sick people. The remarks mark the most significant public rupture in the U.S.-Iran peace process since the MoU was signed on June 17.

Washington revoked an oil sanctions waiver in response to Iran's actions and struck more than 80 Iranian military sites, targeting air defence systems, coastal radar sites, and dozens of Revolutionary Guard boats. U.S. Central Command said the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial shipping through the waterway. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they responded by hitting U.S. bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.

What triggered the collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire?

Iran reportedly struck three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which the MoU explicitly required Tehran to keep open for safe passage of shipping. Iranian state media reported explosions across multiple sites, including six on the island of Qeshm, seven in the city of Sirik, and additional blasts in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bushehr. A member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Reza Khazini, was reported killed in Mahshahr.

Bushehr, located in Iran's southwest, hosts the country's only civilian nuclear power plant and lies near Kharg Island, the main oil terminal through which 90 percent of Iran's crude exports transit. Following the U.S. strikes, Iran's military stated that any site enabling the U.S. to attack Iran would be considered a legitimate target. The exchange of strikes represents a direct breakdown of the ceasefire framework both sides had agreed to weeks earlier.

What was the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding?

The MoU, signed on June 17, 2026, was an interim framework aimed at ending the conflict and creating a pathway toward a comprehensive peace and nuclear agreement. Under its 14 points, both sides committed to immediately cease military operations and negotiate a permanent deal within 60 days. The U.S. agreed to begin lifting its naval blockade, ease sanctions, and facilitate Iran's limited return to international oil markets, while Iran agreed to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirm it would not pursue nuclear weapons.

How have other countries responded to the renewed US-Iran fighting?

Qatar, a key mediator alongside Pakistan, condemned Iran's strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain and urged all sides to return to diplomacy. In a statement posted on X, Qatar's foreign ministry called for renewed dialogue and said it emphasised "the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks." China also denounced the escalation, with foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning saying military means cannot solve fundamental problems and urging both sides to avoid military tactics.