'They're Scum'—Furious Trump Explodes, Declares Iran Ceasefire Over

Trump States Ceasefire with Iran Has Ended After U.S. Strikes on Iranian Targets

President Trump said on Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran is over and that he no longer intends to negotiate with Iranian officials. The remarks followed U.S. airstrikes on more than 80 Iranian targets, which the administration described as a response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Turkey, Trump was asked whether the ceasefire and an associated memorandum of understanding remained in effect. He replied that he considered the arrangement finished. Trump stated that Iranian leaders were “scum,” “sick people,” “liars,” and “cheats,” and that he would speak with U.S. negotiators about next steps. He added that any further talks would require Iranian representatives to return to him with new positions.

The comments occurred weeks after a preliminary agreement intended to reduce tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump expressed doubt that additional negotiations would produce results, citing what he described as repeated instances in which agreements on nuclear issues were reached and then publicly denied by Iranian officials.

Iran violated the ceasefire by firing missiles at three commercial vessels on Monday and Tuesday, according to U.S. officials. In response, the Trump administration revoked a license that had permitted Iran to sell oil on the global market. U.S. Central Command conducted strikes on more than 80 targets inside Iran, stating the action was intended to impose costs for attacks on civilian shipping.

Iran reported launching missiles at 85 U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait following the American strikes. Iranian officials described the U.S. actions as aggression and stated that the period of what they termed bullying and extortion had ended. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not yield to pressure.

Trump also referenced prior Iranian protests, stating that Iranian authorities had killed 54,000 people. He further claimed that Iran had killed thousands of U.S. soldiers and hundreds of thousands of civilians over time, and that Iranian forces had fired missiles at ships belonging to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other countries. He described Iranian conduct during negotiations as that of “dirty players” who agree to terms and then disavow them publicly.

U.S. officials characterized the Iranian missile attacks on commercial shipping as a clear breach of the ceasefire. The administration indicated it would not continue talks under the existing framework and would instead rely on military and economic measures. Iranian representatives maintained that their actions were defensive responses to prior U.S. and allied operations in the region.

The sequence of strikes and counter-strikes has left the status of any formal agreement uncertain. Both sides have stated they will not accept terms they view as one-sided. No new round of negotiations has been scheduled.