U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran conflict with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kaine in Washington, DC, April 6, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski AFP | Getty Images
Despite airstrikes carried out by both countries in recent days, the United States is engaged in “technical talks” with Iran and remains committed to finding a solution to the conflict, MS Now reported Thursday, citing U.S. officials.
The official said President Donald Trump had made his position clear and characterized Iran’s attacks on commercial ships as an “act of terrorism”, according to MS Now.
These comments came after President Trump said at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, that the ceasefire with Iran was “over.”
The memorandum of understanding between the two countries is performance-based and Iran’s actions amount to an “unacceptable level of failure,” a US official told MS Now, adding that talks with Tehran would continue.
The ceasefire signed last month has come under severe strain in recent days, with US and Iranian forces carrying out airstrikes this week. “I don’t want to do business with them (Iran) anymore,” President Trump said at the NATO summit.
On his way back from the summit, President Trump said Iran sought a deal to halt escalating hostilities in the Middle East. “They called me a while ago. They really want a deal, but I don’t know if they deserve a deal. I don’t know if they’ll abide by the deal. That’s the question,” he said.
Iranian officials accused the US of violating the memorandum, citing violations of “Iranian arrangements” in the Strait of Hormuz, “persistent threats of further attacks” and reinstatement of oil sanctions.
The US military has carried out a new attack on Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The US Treasury subsequently rescinded the exemption that had allowed Iranian oil sales.
Oil prices fell slightly on Thursday night, with global benchmark Brent crude oil futures for September delivery falling to $76.3 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures trading at $71.87.
