WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was over following renewed attacks that reignited hostilities, while saying Washington had agreed to continue diplomatic talks with Tehran despite the latest escalation.
Trump said the United States had informed Iran "in no uncertain terms" that the ceasefire had ended after a series of attacks and counterstrikes this month. His comments followed renewed violence in and around the Strait of Hormuz, where attacks on commercial shipping prompted fresh U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets, according to U.S. officials.
The renewed fighting came after an interim truce reached last month broke down. U.S. officials said Washington continued to press Iran to halt attacks affecting maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, while maintaining that diplomatic contacts would continue. Trump said Iran had sought to keep negotiations going and that the United States had agreed to do so, even as military operations resumed.
Iran has continued to warn of retaliation against U.S. actions, while regional tensions have intensified following exchanges of missile, drone and air strikes. Reports of additional casualties and damage have emerged from multiple locations, although Reuters could not independently verify all battlefield claims. Official casualty figures varied by reporting authority.
The collapse of the ceasefire has renewed uncertainty over security in the Gulf and the future of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program and regional security issues. As of July 17, officials on both sides said contacts had not been completely severed, but active hostilities had resumed and the situation remained fluid.
