Trump says MOU is ‘over’, calls Iranian leaders ‘scum’ following latest strikes
Trump Declares Iran Agreement Finished After Renewed Hostilities
Trump says MOU is over calls - President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he considers the interim accord with Iran to be concluded, following a significant escalation in military exchanges between the two nations. The confrontation intensified throughout Tuesday and carried into Wednesday morning, prompting the American president to reconsider the status of the recent diplomatic arrangement.
While participating in the NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkey, Trump convened with his senior advisors to evaluate the American response to multiple assaults on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to several sources acquainted with the deliberations, these attacks occurred early in the week and were subsequently attributed to Iranian military forces by the United States, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Tehran has consistently rejected these accusations.
Harsh Words for Iranian Leadership
During a Wednesday press conference in Ankara alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump acknowledged that discussions between Washington and Tehran would persist, yet he expressed strong skepticism about the current agreement. "For me, I think it's over," he stated regarding the interim deal.
"I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum. You know what scum is? They're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people," Trump told ABC News reporters when asked about Iran's leadership.
The president continued his criticism, describing Iranians as "vicious, violent people" who would utilize nuclear capabilities if possessed. "As far as I'm concerned, it's over," he emphasized. Adding further characterization, Trump remarked, "There's something wrong with them, they're cuckoo."
MOU Framework and Remaining Challenges
Despite Trump's strong language, he indicated that negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement might proceed. The fourteen-point memorandum of understanding established several key provisions: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial navigation, the removal of the American naval blockade surrounding Iranian ports, and Iran's pledge to refrain from developing nuclear weapons—a commitment previously made by Tehran.
Additionally, the United States consented to permit Iranian oil exports and initiated preparations for a three-hundred-million-dollar reconstruction initiative for Iran. The agreement also mandated a sixty-day cessation of hostilities, encompassing conflicts between Israel and the Tehran-supported Hezbollah organization in Lebanon, while both nations worked toward finalizing terms covering Iran's nuclear materials.
"I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate. They're good people. Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, but they have to come back to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them," Trump explained on Wednesday.
When the MOU was initially signed, Trump praised it as fulfilling all objectives and exceeding expectations. Nevertheless, critical matters such as the nuclear program's future remained unresolved. The White House has insisted that Iran halt all uranium enrichment activities, a position Tehran has consistently opposed, maintaining that enrichment is necessary for its civilian nuclear energy infrastructure.
Ongoing Military Actions
On Wednesday, Trump reiterated his administration's commitment to achieving the "denuclearization of Iran." He stated, "We're going to de-nuke it. We're not going to let them, because they're crazy, and they can't have a nuclear weapon."
Despite the June signing of the MOU, intermittent combat has persisted between American and Iranian forces. U.S. Central Command reported that since Monday, Iranian forces had targeted three commercial ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM subsequently executed counterstrikes against more than eight targets in response to these attacks.
Trump also indicated that he would not be concerned if diplomatic talks continued following the conclusion of funeral ceremonies for the recently deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "I'll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don't see it," he concluded during the press conference.