Trump declares Iran ceasefire ‘Over’ as fresh Strait of Hormuz clashes push oil prices higher

United States President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire with Iran “over” after renewed hostilities erupted in the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a fresh escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking on Wednesday during a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump dismissed the possibility of reviving the truce, saying he no longer believed negotiations with Iran were worthwhile.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s over,” Trump said when asked whether the ceasefire remained in effect.

“It’s just a waste of time dealing with them. I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it. I don’t like these people.”

His remarks triggered an immediate reaction in global energy markets, with oil prices rising by about five per cent to their highest level in two weeks.

The latest crisis follows Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil exports.

The conflict, which began in late February after coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, has intensified in recent days.

Iran has insisted on asserting control over the waterway, proposing transit fees for vessels and warning that ships deviating from routes authorised by Tehran could be targeted.

According to reports, Iran has struck at least three vessels in recent days, prompting the United States to launch extensive retaliatory strikes against more than 80 Iranian military targets.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation targeted air defence systems, coastal radar installations and dozens of boats belonging to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

The military said the objective was to weaken Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping through the strategic corridor.

Iran responded by claiming it had launched attacks on several US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Authorities in both Gulf countries confirmed that their air defence systems had been activated, although no details of casualties or damage were immediately released.

Iranian state media also reported multiple explosions around the Strait of Hormuz, including on Qeshm Island, in Sirik, Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, where the country’s only civilian nuclear power plant is located.

The reports also said a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was killed during the latest exchanges.

Meanwhile, British maritime security agency UKMTO confirmed that three commercial vessels were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, including ships flying the flags of the Marshall Islands, Saudi Arabia and Liberia.

One of the vessels reportedly caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile.

The attack on the Qatari-owned tanker Al Rekayyat drew strong condemnation from Doha, which summoned Iran’s deputy ambassador to protest what it described as an unacceptable attack on international maritime navigation.

Iran rejected Qatar’s accusations, describing them as unacceptable.

The renewed fighting has also placed further strain on the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran last month.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Washington of violating the agreement by reinstating sanctions on Iranian oil exports and interfering with Tehran’s plans for administering shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Treasury Department recently revoked a sanctions waiver that had temporarily allowed Iranian crude exports, a move Washington described as necessary following Iran’s actions in the Gulf.

A US official said Tehran would only enjoy the benefits of the agreement if it demonstrated what Washington described as “good behaviour.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, with a significant share of global crude oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway each day.

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