U.S. President Donald Trump declared that ceasefire negotiations with Iran are over, following a new exchange of strikes between the two nations. Trump indicated that while U.S. negotiators could continue talks if they wished, he personally considered the engagement a "waste of time."
"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, speaking ahead of a NATO summit. "As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars."
These remarks follow accusations by Iran's parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, that the U.S. had breached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 17. Ghalibaf cited attacks in southern Iran and alleged violations of Iranian adjustments in the Strait of Hormuz as evidence of the breach. "The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don't fold," he stated.
This is not the first instance of strikes occurring after the MoU's signing. On June 25, the U.S. launched a series of strikes on Iran after an Iranian projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides subsequently agreed to "stand down" by June 29.
The MoU included a clause for an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts." Additionally, Iran had agreed to use its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days."
Negotiations regarding the terms of a permanent end to hostilities had been ongoing but were paused during funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died on the first day of U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. The funeral ceremonies were scheduled to take place in Iraq and Mashhad, Iran, with final rites set for Thursday.
It remains unclear when talks might resume given the latest escalation and Trump's pronouncements. The U.S. president's comments suggest a hardening of his stance regarding engagement with Iran.