The US President made the remarks at the NATO Summit in Ankara.
Three weeks after hailing a US-Iran memorandum of understanding as a breakthrough that could end months of conflict, President Donald Trump declared the agreement “over" this week. Yet, he also said that American negotiators could continue pursuing a broader nuclear agreement with Tehran.
The turning point came after attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington blamed on Iran. The United States responded with extensive strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, saying the attacks were necessary to protect international shipping. Hours later, the US Treasury also revoked a temporary licence that had allowed Iran to sell crude oil under the June memorandum of understanding, effectively restoring economic pressure on Tehran.
Iran retaliated by launching attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait and warned that any country assisting American military operations could become a legitimate target.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore; they’re scum," Trump said at a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara when asked if the truce with Iran was now finished.
“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. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over."
The June memorandum was intended to create a 60-day window during which both sides would avoid major hostilities while negotiating a permanent settlement covering Iran’s nuclear program, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief. Instead, the ceasefire period saw repeated tit-for-tat exchanges.
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Khamenei funeral draws thousands in Najaf Funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on July 8 in the Iraqi city of Najaf, with thousands of mourners taking part. The days-long funeral began late last week in Iran, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran as people commemorated the leader who had ruled the country for decades. Mourners holding portraits of Khamenei received the body and the senior officials escorting it, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The body was placed in a casket draped in the Islamic Republic's flag and enclosed in glass. Some supporters performed self-flagellation on the streets, while others waved Iranian flags as well as red and black flags symbolizing mourning and revenge. |
