Trump Ends Ceasefire with Iran After New Military Strikes

US President Donald Trump today announced that the ceasefire with Iran is over. Speaking to reporters at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Ankara, Trump said that he does not want to waste his time negotiating with Iran. However, he said US representatives can continue negotiations, but he cast doubt on the outcome. Trump’s statement comes hours after the US carried out a new round of military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 80 sites. The US said, the strikes were in response to Tehran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Announcing the operation, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, the strikes were conducted using precision-guided munitions and were aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten international maritime commerce. The Iranian military said, coastal bases and civilian facilities were struck in the provinces of Hormozgan and Mahshar. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), strikes also hit Bandar Mashahr, south-west Iran. IRGC said, it had responded to the strikes by targeting US assets in neighbouring countries as sirens went off in Bahrain and Kuwait. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said, it intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 drones overnight. Qatar condemned Iranian attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, which its foreign ministry said were a blatant breach of international law and the two countries’ sovereignty.