Trump Declares Iran Deal ‘Over’, Calls Tehran Leaders ‘Scum’ as Oil Prices Surge
United States President Donald Trump has declared that the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran is effectively over, saying he no longer wishes to engage with Iran and describing its leaders as “scum” and “sick people.”
Speaking on Wednesday, July 8, ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations aimed at securing a permanent peace agreement between both countries.
“To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them,” Trump said alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them,” he added.
Global Mirror News gathered that the interim ceasefire agreement, signed under the mediation of Pakistan, was designed to create a 60-day window for negotiations between the United States and Iran following heightened tensions in the Gulf region. However, indirect talks held in Qatar last week ended without any significant breakthrough, casting serious doubts over the future of the process.
The diplomatic deadlock comes amid renewed Military tensions. The United States recently launched fresh strikes against Iranian targets and revoked a licence that had temporarily allowed Iran to sell crude oil and petroleum products.
According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 60 small boats belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were among the targets hit. Washington said the Military action was intended to impose a heavy cost on Iran over attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which it considers a violation of the ceasefire arrangement.
In response, the IRGC claimed responsibility for attacks on US Military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, describing them as retaliatory measures.
Iran’s top Military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the American strikes, describing them as a “blatant act of aggression.” The command threatened a “crushing response” and warned that Tehran would resist any US interference in the management of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Under the interim agreement, the US Treasury had on June 22 issued a general licence permitting the sale of Iranian crude oil and petrochemical products until August 21. However, the licence was revoked on Tuesday, with Iran given until July 17 to wind down all related transactions.
Despite his harsh remarks, Trump indicated that diplomatic contacts could still continue, although he expressed little optimism about the prospects.
“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
Trump’s comments immediately rattled global energy markets, sending oil prices sharply higher. International benchmark Brent crude surged 5.3 per cent to $78.09 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 5.4 per cent to $74.23 per barrel.
Chief commodities analyst at SEB, Bjarne Schieldrop, said the latest developments have thrown the future of the 60-day negotiation process into serious doubt.
“In my view, a price closer to $80 a barrel is more consistent with current market fundamentals than $70,” he noted.
