Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'over' but negotiations can continue

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he believed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran was over, but negotiations could continue while also expressing dissatisfaction with NATO over both Greenland and Iran.

Speaking alongside Mark Rutte ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said, "I think it's over," when asked about Iran.

"I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate, they're good people... but they have to come back to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them," he added.


He also said he was "not happy with NATO over Greenland, Iran."

Escalating his rhetoric, Trump said the US had carried out a powerful military operation against Iran overnight in response to fresh attacks on commercial shipping.

"We attacked very powerfully last night. We told them to go and do their funeral stuff, but instead they started shooting rockets at ships yesterday, so we then hit them really hard last night," he said.

Calling Iran's leadership "very dangerous," Trump added, "There is something wrong with them, they are cuckoo."

He also claimed Tehran continued to pose a personal threat to him. "Of course they are dirty players, so they go after everyone, probably including me. I have been number one on their list for years. They are a bunch of scum, if you want to know the truth," he said.

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Trump's remarks came shortly after the US launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran and revoked a waiver allowing the sale of Iranian oil. The moves, taken in response to recent attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, added fresh volatility to energy markets and put further strain on an already fragile peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.

The interim ceasefire agreement, brokered by Pakistan, was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent settlement. However, indirect talks held in Qatar ended last week without any breakthrough.

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Oil prices surged nearly 6% following Trump's comments.

The price of Brent crude oil jumped 5.6% to more than $78 a barrel. U.S. benchmark crude surged 5.8% to $74.55 a barrel.

At the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump also announced that he had directed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade ties with Spain, describing Madrid as a "terrible partner" in the alliance.

The twin announcements on Iran and Spain overshadowed a summit that European leaders had hoped would project unity and reaffirm support for Ukraine, while once again exposing divisions within NATO.

(With inputs from agencies)