ANKARA, TURKEY July 8, 2026 – President Donald Trump stated Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran is effectively over, delivering a sharp rebuke of the Iranian regime while attending the NATO summit in the Turkish capital.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said:
“To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore. They’re scum… They’re led by sick people… I’ll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate—they’re good people… but they have to come back to me. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
The White House Rapid Response account posted the remarks on X, amplifying the President’s tough stance on Tehran.
Trump’s comments follow a new round of strikes between the U.S. and Iran. The United States hit more than 80 Iranian targets, including IRGC sites, in retaliation for Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on U.S. facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.
A June 2026 memorandum of understanding had paused active hostilities from the earlier 2026 conflict (which involved Israel and regional fronts), reopened the Strait of Hormuz, and included sanctions relief tied to nuclear commitments. That deal now appears to be unraveling.
Trump indicated he would consult U.S. negotiators but insisted Iran must return with significantly improved terms. He framed continued diplomacy as largely pointless under current conditions.
The remarks came as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for a two-day summit focused on alliance defense spending, cohesion, and regional security issues — including the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the visit.
The development has added tension to the summit and contributed to rising oil prices amid concerns over energy security and potential further escalation in the Middle East.
The White House has not yet issued additional formal statements on next steps, but Trump’s public position signals a significant hardening toward the Iranian regime.
This is a developing story.
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