The fragile arrangement between Washington and Tehran has been pushed close to collapse following renewed military action overnight. US President Donald Trump said the interim memorandum with Iran was “over”, although he did not rule out further diplomatic contacts.
Speaking during the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump confirmed that the United States had carried out extensive strikes against Iranian targets. He said Washington would respond forcefully to any further Iranian attacks.
Trump hardens position on Iran
“We hit them very hard last night,” Trump told reporters, adding that Tehran had previously been warned that every Iranian attack would trigger a US response.
Trump accused Iran of employing “dirty” tactics and claimed its forces were targeting a wide range of people, potentially including himself. He also described Iran’s leadership as “bad people”.
The US president said the central objective remained the “denuclearisation of Iran”.
His remarks followed a fresh exchange of attacks, with the US striking Iranian targets after three commercial vessels were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks against US military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait.
Negotiations not formally abandoned
Despite declaring the memorandum effectively finished, Trump said contacts between US and Iranian officials could continue.
“They can talk, but I think they are wasting their time,” he said, expressing little confidence that the negotiations would produce a permanent agreement.
Talks on a final settlement had been expected to begin following the burial of Iran’s late supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The discussions were due to focus on the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and further restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
The latest attacks have placed the process in serious doubt. However, neither Washington nor Tehran has formally announced its withdrawal from negotiations.
Trump criticises NATO allies
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with NATO members over their response to the conflict.
He said allies had been unwilling to support the United States against what he described as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
“I’m not happy with NATO because they didn’t want to help us against the number one country funding terrorism, which is Iran,” Trump said.
His comments added to tensions at the Ankara summit, where the conflict with Iran has overshadowed much of the alliance’s planned agenda.
Iran rejects US pressure
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded with a defiant message on X, rejecting Washington’s threats and demands.
“The era of bullying and blackmail is over,” Ghalibaf wrote. “It leads nowhere. We will not bend.”
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press and Al Jazeera.
