President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States has agreed to continue negotiations with Iran after Tehran requested to do so. Despite this agreement, the president stated in no uncertain terms that the ceasefire signed in June is over. This shift comes after Trump had previously described dealing with Tehran as a waste of time.
The collapse of the ceasefire follows several consecutive days of exchanged attacks between U.S. and Iranian forces, threatening a full resumption of the months-long war. President Trump indicated that talks could proceed even as the U.S. steps up military strikes. Amid these tensions, the president repeated a threat to destroy Iran should anything happen to him.
The United States has increased demands for Iran to stop attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, where recent hostilities have driven up oil prices. As part of the diplomatic effort, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to travel to Oman on Saturday for talks specifically regarding the Strait.
While negotiations are resuming, analysts suggest that a deeply flawed preliminary truce deal may create obstacles for the parties involved. Iran has not yet responded to the president's latest claims.