US president says he no longer wants to deal with Tehran as the Pakistan-mediated interim agreement faces collapse
ANKARA: US President Donald Trump has said the Trump Iran ceasefire deal is “over,” raising fears of a new escalation in the Middle East after fresh American military strikes on Iran.
Speaking on Wednesday on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said he no longer wanted to continue dealing with Tehran. He strongly criticised the Iranian leadership and described further negotiations as a waste of time. lopment is especially important for Pakistan because the interim ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran was reached with Pakistani mediation. According to Reuters, the agreement was designed to provide a 60-day period for negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement. Iran Ceasefire Deal Faces Collapse
The temporary agreement had created hopes that the United States and Iran could move towards a longer-term peace arrangement. However, indirect talks in Qatar failed to produce clear progress towards a final agreement. increased again after attacks on commercial ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The United States then launched a new wave of military strikes against Iranian targets. Reuters reported that Washington also revoked a licence that had allowed Iran to sell oil under the interim arrangement. ciated Press reported that three merchant ships were struck in waters off Oman. US Central Command said the American military operation was launched in response to attacks on commercial shipping in an international waterway. Iran, however, condemned the US strikes and accused Washington of violating the interim agreement. Takes Hard Line Against Iran
Trump made clear that he had little interest in continuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran. His latest comments suggest that the chances of reviving the temporary agreement have sharply declined. resident has also maintained a hard position on Iran’s nuclear programme. The Trump administration has publicly stated that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, while the wider dispute over Tehran’s nuclear activities remains a major issue in US-Iran relations. Tensions Also Come Into Focus
Trump’s comments came during the NATO summit in Ankara, where disagreements between Washington and some European allies were already visible.
The US president has criticised European NATO members over defence spending and their lack of support for American military operations involving Iran. AP reported that Trump expressed disappointment after some NATO allies refused to join the Iran conflict. also reported that Trump announced a separate move against Spain, saying he had ordered US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade ties with the NATO member. The Spanish government responded by treating Trump’s remarks as part of the continuing tensions between the two countries. e East Tensions Rise Again
The latest developments have increased concerns about another major escalation between the United States and Iran.
The Pakistan-mediated agreement had offered a possible diplomatic path towards a permanent settlement. However, Trump’s declaration that the arrangement is over, combined with renewed US military strikes and continuing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, has created fresh uncertainty over the future of the conflict. stan, the collapse of the agreement would also represent a setback to diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran and preventing a wider regional conflict. Reuters specifically reported that Pakistan had mediated the interim ceasefire arrangement.