US President Donald Trump says the United States has agreed to continue talks with Iran despite declaring that the ceasefire reached between the two countries last month is no longer in effect.
His remarks came after a week of renewed hostilities that saw three commercial oil tankers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia come under attack, prompting US strikes on Iranian targets and retaliatory Iranian attacks on American military facilities across the Gulf.
Although no fresh attacks were reported on Friday, regional mediators continued efforts to broker a permanent end to the conflict, which began on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed Iran had sought renewed engagement with Washington.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” he wrote.
Iran, however, disputed Trump’s account, insisting it had not requested direct talks with Washington. Tehran said it had instead agreed to receive a Qatari mediator.
Iranian state television reported that Qatari negotiators were meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran to discuss regional tensions and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Issues Fresh Warning
Trump also issued a stern warning against any attempt on his life, saying he had directed the US military to be prepared to respond decisively to any such threat.
He wrote:
“1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!”
He added:
“Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran – PRAISE BE TO ALLAH!”
Trump’s comments followed reports by The Wall Street Journal and other US media outlets that Israel had shared intelligence with Washington alleging Iran had recently developed a plot to assassinate the US president.
Iran has not publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks.
Strait of Hormuz in Focus
Attention has also shifted to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for global oil shipments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Oman on Saturday for talks on ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
US officials said Washington wants Tehran to publicly commit to ending attacks on commercial shipping and guarantee unrestricted passage through the strait without imposing tolls.
During the recent fighting, Iran maintained significant control over the waterway, fuelling a prolonged standoff with the United States.
Casualties Mount
Iran’s Health Ministry said at least 17 people were killed and 115 others injured in US airstrikes conducted across six Iranian cities on Wednesday and Thursday.
Despite the escalation, US officials described recent discussions between Washington and Tehran as productive.
Iran, however, warned that any breach of commitments by the United States would trigger “reciprocal action,” according to a spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry.
The interim ceasefire agreement reached last month had been intended to pave the way for a broader peace process, but the conflict—now in its fifth month—has continued to disrupt global energy markets and heighten concerns over the world economy.
Oil prices posted their strongest weekly gain in eight weeks following the renewed fighting in the Gulf.
