Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire 'Over' as Fresh Clashes Erupt in Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran effectively over on Wednesday, following a new wave of hostilities in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a NATO summit in Türkiye, Trump said the truce was 'over' and described negotiations as 'a waste of time.'
The conflict, which began with large-scale U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has seen renewed violence in recent days. Iran has attacked at least three ships in the strait, prompting extensive U.S. retaliatory strikes on Tuesday. Iran responded with attacks on U.S. facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, though no damage was reported.
Oil prices surged 5% after Trump's remarks, reflecting market concerns over the stability of the region.
U.S. Central Command reported strikes on over 80 targets, including Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites, and 60 small boats of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The stated aim was to protect international commerce. Iran's state media reported explosions on Qeshm island, in Sirik, and near Bandar Abbas, as well as blasts in Bushehr, home to Iran's only civilian nuclear plant. One IRGC member was killed in southwestern Iran.
Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of major breaches of their memorandum of understanding, including the reinstatement of oil sanctions. Washington revoked sanction waivers that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil through August, raising pressure on Tehran.
The British maritime agency UKMTO reported that an unknown projectile hit a tanker near Hormuz, causing a fire, followed by two more vessel attacks, at least one by a drone. The affected ships were identified as the Marshall Islands-flagged Al Rekayyat (Qatari-owned), the Saudi-flagged Wedyan, and the Liberia-flagged Cyprus Prosperity. Oman had proposed a temporary transit corridor, but Iran opposes this as it seeks to impose fees on ships using the waterway.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides claiming to have hit targets and no immediate prospect of renewed negotiations.
