President Donald Trump has announced that the United States has agreed to continue diplomatic engagement with Iran, while insisting that the ceasefire between both countries has officially ended.
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‎In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said Iran requested the resumption of negotiations and that Washington accepted the proposal. However, he stressed that the US had made it clear to Tehran that the ceasefire was no longer in effect.
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‎”Iran has asked us to continue talks. We have agreed, but we have also informed them in the clearest terms that the ceasefire is over,” Trump wrote.
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‎Earlier this week during a visit to Ankara, the US president declared that the truce reached on April 8—which brought an end to weeks of intense fighting—had collapsed. He also lashed out at Iranian leaders, describing them as “scum” and “sick people.”
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‎Trump noted that he would consult businessman and envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside his son-in-law Jared Kushner, both of whom have been involved in contacts with Iranian officials. He maintained, however, that the next move rests with Tehran if it wishes to return to meaningful negotiations.
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‎Despite the renewed diplomatic efforts, hostilities have continued. Over the past week, Iran has targeted commercial vessels, prompting retaliatory US strikes, while Tehran has also launched drone and missile attacks against American assets across the Middle East.
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‎AFP