President Trump made the announcement at a NATO summit after Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Published July 8, 2026
US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran is “over” and described Iranian leaders as “sick men” after the two countries exchanged attacks.
“I think it’s over. I don’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. They’re scum,” President Trump said Wednesday at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Turkey, when asked if the ceasefire with Iran was over.
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“They’re scum, they’re sick, they’re led by sick people, they’re vicious, they’re violent. And if they had nuclear weapons, they would use them.”
Trump also said he would meet with Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy who has been leading U.S. negotiations with Iran, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, but insisted it was up to Iran to return to the table.
“As far as I’m concerned, engaging with them is a waste of time. They’re liars.”
President Trump’s comments came after Iran announced it had attacked 85 U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. attacks on Hormozgan province and the port city of Mahashahr.
The United States announced it had launched “strong attacks” against more than 80 “targets” after Iran attacked three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil trade passes.
The latest escalation risks derailing last month’s agreement between the United States and Iran to extend the ceasefire and enter talks to end the war, but neither side has indicated any intention to abandon negotiations anytime soon.
This comes after a promised pause in U.S. attacks as Iran holds funerals for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who was killed in a joint U.S.-Israel strike at the start of the war on Feb. 28.
