U.S. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire with Iran is "over," labeling the nation "a bunch of scum" following overnight strikes exchanged between the two countries. Trump made these remarks at the NATO summit in Ankara, also stating he considers himself "lucky" to have not been assassinated.
US Central Command announced Tuesday night that it had targeted more than 80 Iranian sites, including over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats. In response, Iran stated it attacked U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait.
"To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum," Trump told reporters when asked about the status of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the U.S. and Iran. He further characterized the Iranian leadership as "sick" and "vicious, violent people," adding that they would use a nuclear weapon if they possessed one.
Earlier, Trump accused Iran of seeking to eliminate him, claiming he was on "every single one of their lists." He asserted that the U.S. had permitted Iran to hold a funeral procession for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but instead, Iran initiated rocket attacks on ships. "And so we hit them very hard last night," Trump stated. "I told them, every time you hit, we hit."
World oil prices rose more than five percent on Wednesday following Trump's declaration. Brent crude futures increased by 5.3 percent to $78.09 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate futures advanced 5.4 percent to $74.23 a barrel.
The U.S. strikes followed attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which led to retaliatory actions against American bases in the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz has been a critical point of conflict since late February, when U.S.-Israeli forces launched significant strikes on Iran. Tehran maintains control over the waterway, imposing fees for passage and threatening vessels that deviate from designated routes.
Iran's military has reportedly struck at least three ships in recent days, prompting the extensive U.S. retaliation. Both nations reported hitting numerous targets, increasing strain on an interim agreement intended to end their conflict and pushing oil prices to a two-week high.
Iranian state media reported explosions around the strait, including on Qeshm island, the city of Sirik, and the port city of Bandar Abbas. Further blasts were reported in Bushehr, home to Iran's sole civilian nuclear power plant and near Kharg island, a key oil terminal. One member of the Revolutionary Guards was reported killed in southwestern Iran.
CENTCOM stated its forces struck Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar sites, and 60 IRGC small boats, aiming to "degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor."
Iran's Guards claimed to have hit dozens of U.S. military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, where explosions were heard. Bahrain's interior ministry and the Kuwaiti army reported their air defense systems were activated.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the U.S. of "major" violations of their MoU, citing the reinstatement of oil sanctions and "violating Iranian adjustments in the strait." The U.S. Treasury Department had previously revoked oil sanction waivers for Iran, increasing pressure on Tehran during negotiations.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, told AFP that Iran's actions in the Strait were "wholly unacceptable" and would face consequences. The official described the U.S.-Iran MoU as "entirely performance-based," indicating that Tehran would only see benefits through "good behavior."