ANKARA, Turkiye – Web Desk: US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire with Iran is “over,” intensifying tensions between the two nations. Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump stated that he no longer wishes to negotiate with Tehran, calling Iran’s leadership “sick” and “scum” after Iranian forces reportedly targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain .
“To me, it’s over,” Trump said when asked about the fate of the Memorandum of Understanding with Tehran. “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them” . The President’s remarks came just hours after the US launched fresh strikes on over 80 Iranian targets, including missile sites and IRGC naval vessels, in retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz .
Trump’s Disappointment with NATO
During the summit, Trump expressed strong disappointment with NATO allies for not providing adequate support during the Iran conflict. The US President specifically criticized European nations including Britain, France, Germany, and Italy for declining to participate in the US military operation against Iran .
“In a way, I was testing people,” Trump admitted. “I was testing to see whether or not they’d be there because I’ve long said that we help them, but I’m not sure that they’d be there for us” .
The US leader credited the United States with the largest financial contribution to the alliance, arguing that European allies must assume greater responsibility for their own security and contribute more to collective defense . Despite the criticism, Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “a very strong leader” and acknowledged Turkey’s constructive role in de-escalating tensions with Iran .
Iran’s Nuclear Program and Regional Stability
Trump also reiterated his longstanding position that Iran must never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, describing the prevention of Iranian nuclear capability as a central objective of US policy toward Tehran . The US President’s remarks come amid heightened regional instability, with concerns that further escalation could severely disrupt international trade and oil supply through the critical Strait of Hormuz . Meanwhile, Iran has condemned the US strikes as unlawful aggression and reserved the right to defend its national sovereignty and security.
