Iran ceasefire in doubt as Donald Trump signals more US strikes and questions deal

President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was no longer holding. Trump also said the US could strike again, and might "finish the job\". Yet Trump argued that more attacks did not mean a long war. The mixed signals raised doubts about what would happen next in a conflict that recently paused.

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The uncertainty came after the US backed back-to-back military strikes on Iran. Trump warned on Wednesday that another round was coming. Hours later, the military announced fresh attacks on Iran. The Pentagon said the goal was to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz attacks

Trump suggested events could move quickly. \"Anything that happens is going to happen very fast,\" Trump said earlier. \"Were not looking for a long time.\" Trump also described the ceasefire in blunt terms. \"I think its over.\" Trump added, \"We can play games, but Im not sure I want to make a deal,\" and said the US military might just finish the job.

According to a regional intelligence official involved in mediation, the conflict reached a critical stage. The official said mutual mistrust was rising on both sides. The official also said high-level contacts continued around the clock. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitive talks.

Iran ceasefire talks led by Qatar, Pakistan and Egypt

The official said Pakistan and Qatar’s foreign ministers were leading the mediation. Egypt’s intelligence chief was also central to the effort, the official said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was involved as well, alongside leaders from Saudi Arabia. The official said Erdogan’s country hosted the NATO summit that wrapped Wednesday.

The official said the US was angry about ships being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. The US also accused Iran of delaying talks on limiting its nuclear programme. Nuclear talks were described as a key next step. They were meant to turn last month’s interim deal into a lasting end to the war.

The official said Tehran blamed Washington for violating the agreement on the strait. Iran also said the US failed to ensure a ceasefire in Lebanon was carried out. That included an Israeli withdrawal, the official said. These disputes complicated efforts to keep the interim understanding alive.

Iran ceasefire and US nuclear programme demands

Michael Eisenstadt, who directs the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said talks were still on. \"were still in negotiating mode, no matter what the president says.\" Eisenstadt added, \"This is part of negotiating, and declaring that the MOU is over is part of the negotiation as well,\" referring to the memorandum of understanding.

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s lead negotiator, said the US broke the pact. Qalibaf said the violations forced Iran to respond. \"The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We dont fold,\" Qalibaf posted on X. The exchange added to the wider public war of words.

Pakistan, which helped broker the ceasefire, warned against renewed fighting. Pakistan said escalation helped neither side. \"There is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy to achieve shared goal of peace in the region,\" the foreign ministry said. The statement urged both parties to keep their commitments.

Even so, Trump criticised Iran’s leaders sharply and used abusive language. Trump dismissed Tehran’s leaders, calling them scum and sick people. The comments contrasted with remarks from last month. At that time, Trump said Iran’s leadership was very rational and nice to deal with. Trump also called them smart people.

Vice President JD Vance spoke in Milwaukee on Wednesday and described Iran’s recent conduct. Vance said Iran was well behaved for about a week. Vance said Iran later began attacking the strait. Vance added, \"If they shoot at ships, were going to knock the hell out of them.\"

The shifting rhetoric may also be aimed at leverage, not only escalation. Trump previously used threats before earlier truces. Before the first two-week ceasefire in April, Trump promised bombing of bridges, roads and power plants. Trump also posted online, \"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.\" Similar warnings came before last month’s tentative 60-day deal.

Analysts said Trump often tried to negotiate from strength, and new strikes could serve that aim. However, clear statements that the ceasefire was finished could also free Iran to act militarily. That risked fresh turmoil in oil prices and financial markets. Mediators continued working to rescue the interim deal amid the growing uncertainty.

With inputs from PTI