Trump Declares Ceasefire with Iran "Over" as US Launches Fresh Strikes.
US President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire with Iran effectively dead, stating he is "not sure he wants a deal anymore" and that the United States should "finish the job" — just weeks after signing a memorandum of understanding to end the war.
The statement comes as US Central Command forces carried out two consecutive rounds of strikes against Iranian military targets on 7 and 8 July, hitting approximately 170 targets in total, including air defence systems, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran's coastline.
What Happened:
The US strikes followed what CENTCOM described as Iran violating the ceasefire by attacking three commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. The response was swift and heavy — more than 60 IRGC small boats were destroyed in the first wave alone.
Trump's Mixed Signals:
Trump's rhetoric has swung wildly in recent days. After signing a peace memorandum on 17 June at the Palace of Versailles, he has now reversed course, claiming the ceasefire is over while simultaneously insisting the renewed attacks do not signal a return to full-scale war. Mediators are scrambling to salvage the interim deal as the whipsawing messaging risks further inflaming tensions across the Gulf.
Economic Fallout:
Oil markets have reacted sharply. Brent crude briefly topped $80 per barrel on Wednesday before settling at $78.66 — up from roughly $72 before the war began. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most volatile oil chokepoints, with global supply chains hanging in the balance.
The Bigger Picture:
The 2026 Iran war, which began on 28 February with the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has already cost thousands of lives, displaced millions, and drawn in multiple regional powers including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. A June memorandum had offered a 60-day pathway to resolve Iran's nuclear programme, but that timeline now appears in serious jeopardy.
Trump has set a deadline of 18 August for a nuclear deal with Tehran, though he has indicated he is comfortable extending talks beyond that date. Whether the latest strikes are a negotiation tactic or the opening of a new, more dangerous phase remains unclear.