'Agreed To Continue Talks, But Ceasefire Over': Trump's Mixed Iran Message

Two days after US President Donald Trump said that the interim memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran was "over", he reiterated that the ceasefire between both countries has ended.

Taking to Truth Social on Friday, Trump said that the United States has agreed to continue talks for peace only because Iran has asked to continue it. However, he clarified that the ceasefire stands terminated despite the ongoing talks.

"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!" he wrote on Truth Social.

His comments came after three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire this week, prompting the US to hit Iranian sites and Iran to respond with strikes on US military installations in neighbouring Gulf states on Thursday. No attacks were reported on Friday.

According to news agency Reuters, Qatari officials were set to meet Iranian officials on Friday to seek to de-escalate tensions after the exchange of fire and to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

What Trump Said

On the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Trump said that the April 8 ceasefire, which ended weeks of all-out war but has been marred by repeated lower-intensity conflict, was done, terming Iranian officials "scum" and "sick people".

The US president also said at the time that he would speak to businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have been dealing with the Iranians, but insisted it was up to Tehran to return to the table.

"For me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore," Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. "It's just a waste of time dealing with them."

"They're scum. You know what scum is? They'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 added.

Trump added that US representatives can continue negotiations, but he cast doubt on the outcome. "They can talk, but I think they're wasting their time," he said.

The Strait of Hormuz handled about a fifth of global oil supplies before the war. Tehran has since largely taken control of the waterway, forcing a stalemate in its confrontation with the world's most powerful military.