Trump Says Iran MOU ‘Over’ After Hormuz Attacks, But Leaves Door Open for Talks

Oil prices surged as the fragile U.S.-Iran arrangement appeared to collapse following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz</strong>

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Worthy News) – President Donald Trump said Wednesday that a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Iran is effectively “over” after Tehran’s latest attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, even as he left open the possibility that U.S. negotiators could continue talks if they choose.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said he no longer saw value in dealing with Iran’s leadership after what U.S. Central Command described as Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. CENTCOM said U.S. forces responded with “powerful strikes” against Iranian targets after the tanker attacks, calling Tehran’s actions a violation of the ceasefire.
“To me, I think it’s over,” Trump said of the MOU, according to remarks carried by multiple outlets. “I don’t want to deal with them anymore.”

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The president’s comments marked a dramatic reversal from earlier diplomatic efforts aimed at preserving a temporary pause in hostilities and opening the door to a broader agreement. According to Reuters, the interim accord had been brokered with Pakistani involvement and was intended to create a 60-day ceasefire window for negotiations toward a long-term resolution.

Still, Trump did not completely close the diplomatic channel.

“I’ll let our wonderful negotiators keep talking if they want, but I don’t see it,” Trump said. “I don’t like these people.”

The U.S. negotiating effort has been led by Vice President JD Vance, along with Trump advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Regional mediators, including Qatar, Pakistan, and Turkey, have also played roles in trying to prevent the conflict from widening.

Trump Condemns Iran’s Regime

Trump sharply condemned Iran’s ruling establishment, accusing the regime of brutality against its own people and repeated aggression abroad.

“They’re led by sick people,” Trump said. “They’re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it.”

The president also claimed Iran had killed “54,000 people,” referring to anti-government demonstrators who have protested against the Islamic Republic. He said ordinary Iranians have been unable to overthrow the regime because they lack weapons while government forces remain heavily armed.

Trump further said he believes Iran has long targeted him personally, referring to Iranian calls for his death that circulated during funeral processions for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated at the start of the U.S.-Israeli war.

“They want to take out the U.S. leader — me,” Trump said. “I’m on whatever list.”

The president said the United States had restrained itself during the mourning period for Khamenei but argued that Tehran used the moment to escalate rather than de-escalate.

“We said, ‘Go and do your funeral stuff,’ and instead of that, they start shooting rockets at ships,” Trump said. “And so we hit them very hard last night.”

Oil Markets React Sharply

The confrontation sent oil prices sharply higher Wednesday, underscoring the global economic stakes of any sustained disruption near the Strait of Hormuz.

International benchmark Brent crude jumped more than 5 percent to $78.09 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose 5.4 percent to $74.23 a barrel, according to market data cited by AFP and other outlets.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, and repeated attacks on tankers have heightened fears that the conflict could threaten global oil flows.

Reuters also reported that the United States revoked a key Treasury license that had allowed Iran to sell oil and petrochemical products through August 21, requiring related transactions to wind down by July 17 after the tanker attacks.

Trump Says Turkey Will Receive F-35 Fighter Jets

Trump also addressed growing tensions between Israel and Turkey during his remarks at the NATO summit, saying Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “don’t like” each other.

The president said he disagreed with remarks Netanyahu made about Turkey and praised Erdogan as a strong leader. Trump also said Turkey would receive F-35 fighter jets, a move Israel has strongly opposed amid concerns that advanced U.S. stealth technology could alter the regional military balance.

The issue comes as Washington seeks to keep NATO aligned while also reassuring Israel during a fast-moving confrontation with Iran. The Times of Israel reported Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s planned visit to Israel was canceled amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions and Israeli concerns over a possible F-35 sale to Turkey.

A Fragile Ceasefire Near Collapse

Trump’s remarks signal that the U.S.-Iran diplomatic track may be nearing collapse, even if the administration has not formally ended all talks. His message was blunt: Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, and attacks on commercial shipping will bring severe consequences.

“They’re crazy,” Trump said. “And they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”

For now, the administration appears to be balancing two paths — allowing negotiators to keep channels open while preparing to respond militarily if Iran continues to target shipping, U.S. personnel, or regional allies.

The result is a dangerous new phase in the conflict: diplomacy still flickers, but the battlefield is rapidly overtaking the negotiating table.

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