ANKARA: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared that the interim agreement reached with Iran to halt hostilities is effectively “over,” signalling a tougher stance toward Tehran and expressing little interest in reviving negotiations.
Speaking in Ankara ahead of the NATO summit, Trump dismissed the memorandum of understanding that had been signed to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.
“To me, I think it’s over,” Trump said when asked about the status of the truce. “I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum… they’re led by sick people.”
The US president acknowledged that American negotiators remain interested in engaging with Iran but indicated that any future talks would depend on his approval.
“I’ll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate, but they have to come back to me. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time,” he said.
Trump’s remarks cast fresh doubt over prospects for renewed diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, following a series of escalating military and diplomatic confrontations that have reignited tensions in the Middle East.
