US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively “over” following a fresh exchange of military strikes, reports AP.

Speaking at a NATO summit, he dismissed any further engagement with Iran, calling its leaders "sick people" and saying, "As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

While he acknowledged that negotiators could continue discussions, he argued that such efforts would likely be futile.

The latest escalation began after the United States launched strikes on more than 80 Iranian-linked targets in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Although Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for the tanker attacks, it later announced strikes on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the US military action, describing it as necessary and accusing Iran of violating the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf rejected that claim, arguing that it was the United States that broke the truce.

The renewed conflict comes despite a 14-page memorandum of understanding signed by Tehran and Washington last month, which was intended to strengthen the ceasefire and bring the conflict to an end across all fronts.

MSH

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