NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump has said the interim memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran is “over,” but he will allow talks to continue. Trump’s remarks came hours after the United States launched massive strikes on Iranian assets in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island, in retaliation for what it said were Tehran’s attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Washington has also revoked a license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil.
Tehran has hit back with strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, risking the interim agreement to halt fighting in the war that could break down and drag the Middle East again into a wider conflict.
What Trump Said
“For me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them anymore,” Trump responded when asked about the status of the ceasefire. “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
“They’re scum. You know what scum is? They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people. And they’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over,” he added.
The US leader made the comment on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, and hours after striking Iran in what the US described as retaliation for strikes on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump added that US representatives can continue negotiations, but he cast doubt on the outcome. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
