U.S. President Donald Trump stated Wednesday that the ceasefire with Iran is effectively over, as American forces conducted new strikes on Iranian targets and Tehran responded with retaliatory actions against U.S. military sites in the region.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Trump expressed frustration with Tehran and dismissed further diplomatic engagement. "It is a very interesting question to me. I think it is over. I do not want to deal with them," he said when asked about the status of the truce. He added that he saw little value in continued negotiations, though he noted U.S. negotiators might still pursue talks.

The remarks came hours after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced "powerful strikes" on targets inside Iran. Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in Hormozgan Province, near the southern cities of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, and Sirik. Strikes reportedly hit areas including commercial and fishing ports, with Iranian officials claiming civilian infrastructure was damaged and several people were wounded by shrapnel.

These U.S. actions followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington cited as justification for the response. The exchanges mark a significant deterioration in the fragile ceasefire and interim agreements aimed at de-escalating the broader 2025–2026 Iran conflict.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched a joint missile and drone operation targeting around 85 sites linked to U.S. military installations. The IRGC said its forces struck facilities including Salman Port and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, as well as Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Iran also reported downing a U.S. MQ-9 drone.

Iranian officials described the U.S. strikes as violations of the ceasefire understanding (sometimes referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum) and vowed proportionate responses to defend their sovereignty.

The latest flare-up has driven up oil prices and contributed to market volatility. It occurs amid ongoing efforts to manage hostilities that have included previous strikes, blockades, and attempts at mediated pauses in fighting. Both sides have accused the other of repeated violations.

U.S. officials have framed the strikes as targeted and necessary, while Iran maintains its right to self-defense. No immediate comprehensive casualty figures from either side were independently verified in all reports.The situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation as diplomatic channels appear strained. International observers are monitoring developments closely for impacts on regional stability and global energy markets. (ILKHA)