Trump says US agrees to more talks with Iran despite declaring ceasefire ‘over’ | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington had agreed to resume talks with Iran, although he insisted that the ceasefire between the two countries was “finished” after military exchanges resumed this week.
Trump says negotiations will continue
Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that Iran had sought to resume negotiations and that the United States had agreed.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks’. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has made it very clear that the ceasefire is OVER!”
At a NATO summit earlier this week, Trump also declared the cease-fire over, calling further negotiations with Tehran a “waste of time” and speaking sharply of Iranian officials.
New violence threatens peace
The latest tensions come just over three weeks after Washington and Tehran signed a deal aimed at turning a months-long ceasefire into a more lasting peace.
But this week’s renewed firefights have raised fears that the region could slide back into a wider conflict.
Iran responded with attacks on US military installations in the Persian Gulf, including bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, further escalating tensions.
Qatar renews mediation efforts
Amid the renewed conflict, a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday, according to a report, to revive diplomatic efforts.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the delegation aims to strengthen Qatar’s role as a mediator following recent tensions, including accusations from Doha that Iran attacked one of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Egypt supports a return to negotiations
Egypt has also joined calls for a resumption of diplomacy.
During a telephone conversation on Friday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called on all parties to prioritize dialogue and return to negotiations.
The call reflects growing regional efforts to prevent further military escalation and restore diplomatic channels.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the confrontation.
Iran has argued that it should exercise greater control over the strategic waterway and has expressed a desire to levy tolls on vessels passing through the route.
The United States and its allies say international law guarantees freedom of navigation through the strait and have accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping.
Iran warns of further retaliation
Although no new attacks had been reported by Friday evening, Iranian officials warned that any future attacks would be met with a response.
Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, the head of one of Iran’s top security agencies, said any attacks on Iran’s infrastructure would trigger retaliation against those responsible.
Meanwhile, Tehran has accused the United States of striking civilian infrastructure, including railway bridges, calling the attacks a “gross war crime”.
