'Ceasefire is over': Trump says US-Iran talks continue but truce has ended
US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is "over", even as he confirmed that Washington has agreed to continue diplomatic talks at Tehran's request.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said the US would continue negotiations with Iran but stressed that the truce had formally ended.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump wrote.
Tensions remain high after exchange of strikes
Trump's remarks came after three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire earlier this week, prompting US strikes on Iranian sites. Iran retaliated with attacks on US military installations in neighbouring Gulf states on Thursday.
No fresh attacks were reported on Friday.
According to Reuters, Qatari officials were scheduled to meet with Iranian counterparts on Friday to de-escalate tensions and discuss safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.
Trump had earlier dismissed ceasefire as 'over'
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara two days earlier, Trump had already signalled that he considered the April 8 ceasefire effectively dead.
"For me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore," he said when asked about the status of the truce.
Trump also launched a scathing attack on Iran's leadership, calling its officials "scum" and "sick people".
"They're scum. You know what scum is? NEWSThey're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people. And they're vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over," he said.
The US president said he had asked special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have been involved in backchannel contacts with Iran, to remain engaged, but expressed little optimism about the negotiations.
"They can talk, but I think they're wasting their time," Trump said.
Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passed before the conflict escalated, remains at the centre of the crisis.
Tehran has tightened its control over the strategic waterway, intensifying concerns over global energy supplies and raising the stakes in its confrontation with Washington.
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