- Trump declares the ceasefire with Iran is over as he arrived at the Nato summit in Ankara, stating, "I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum."
- Trump threatens to hit Iran 'hard again tonight', saying, "I gave them a little warning. We're going to hit them hard again tonight."
- Trump's comments reflect a tense atmosphere regarding US-Iran relations, with ongoing strikes and retaliations complicating negotiations.
- European leaders expressed concern about Trump's mood at the Nato summit, anticipating a difficult meeting due to his frustrations with the alliance.
- Trump criticized NATO for not supporting the US against Iran, calling it the 'number one state sponsor of terror'.
President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran over during a tense NATO summit, threatening to strike 'hard again tonight' after US forces launched significant strikes on Iranian targets in response to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump's remarks came after a series of Iranian strikes on US air bases in Qatar and Kuwait, which he deemed violations of the ceasefire. He stated, "I don't want to deal with them anymore, they're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people. And they're vicious, violent people." He further emphasized, "If they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it. As far as I'm concerned, it's over."
Despite his aggressive stance, Trump acknowledged that negotiations might continue, albeit with skepticism. He remarked, "I don't care, they can talk. But I think they're wasting their time." This reflects a broader concern among mediators about the deteriorating atmosphere for talks, with one source describing it as "a setback for sure".
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, supported the US response, asserting that Iranian actions violated the interim accord. Meanwhile, Iranian officials condemned the US strikes, with parliamentary speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf stating, "The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold." The situation remains tense as both sides grapple with the implications of their actions in the region.
“The US launched over 80 strikes on Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz overnight; Iran retaliated with strikes on US bases in Qatar and Kuwait. Despite Trump's declarations, mediators say talks will continue, describing the recent events as 'a setback for sure' but still seeing a path to a deal.”
The Guardian
