US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a ceasefire with Iran was “over” after major exchanges of fire between US forces and the Islamic Republic.
Trump harshly criticized Iran after Washington launched strikes overnight and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted US bases in the Gulf. Oil prices jumped 5 percent after his remarks.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them any more, they’re scum,” Trump said at a NATO summit in Ankara when asked if the truce with Iran had collapsed.
“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,” he said.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
Trump said 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 negotiations.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them. They’re liars,” Trump said.
Trump accused Iran of repeatedly misrepresenting what had been agreed in the ceasefire Washington and Tehran signed on June 17.
“Everyone’s agreed, no nuclear weapon. We make a deal. They go outside, joke to the press, they say we never even talked about it. There’s something wrong with them, they’re cuckoo,” Trump said.
© Agence France-Presse