ANKARA, July 8 — United States (US) President Donald Trump said an interim agreement to end the war with Iran was "over" on Wednesday after Tehran carried out new attacks on US bases in the Gulf.
In a flare-up of hostilities that pushed oil prices up sharply, Iran said it had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait after US forces struck Iranian targets in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks further undermined a shaky ceasefire agreement and dented hopes of turning the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 into a permanent peace deal to end the war, which began with US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28.
Oil prices rise, stocks fall
Asked before a NATO summit in Turkey whether the memorandum of understanding was over, Trump said: "It is a very interesting question. To me, I think it is over. I do not want to deal with them."
"They are scum. They are sick people. They are led by sick people. As far as I am concerned, it is just a waste of time dealing with them," he told the media in Ankara.
Although Trump has at times stepped back from threats he has made against Iran, oil prices surged and stocks fell after his latest comments.
The renewed hostilities have also heightened safety and security concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, with shipping data showing that at least four oil and gas tankers have turned back rather than attempt to transit the waterway, a vital supply route.
Oil prices jumped, and global bond markets tumbled. Brent crude futures leapt five per cent, the most in a day since late May, to US$78 a barrel.
While that was far below the peaks above US$120 seen during the height of the fighting, it was enough to inject some fresh inflation risk into the bond market, particularly since months of conflict have drawn down global oil inventories.
Iran and US trade blame
On Wednesday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said they had targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, and that they had shot down a US MQ-9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation.
The US had earlier unleashed new military strikes and revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil in response to attacks on three tankers in the strait.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said more than 60 small boats used by the IRGC were among the targets hit in an operation it said was intended to impose a heavy cost on Iran for strikes on shipping in violation of the ceasefire.
"The unwarranted aggression by Iranian forces is a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation," it said in a statement.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told the media before the NATO summit that the new attacks by the US on Iran were "absolutely necessary".
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas later said on X (formerly Twitter): "The exchanges of fire between the US and Iran further complicate already fraught talks to end the war. Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait are unacceptable."
Iran's top joint military command, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the US strikes as a "blatant act of aggression," threatened a "crushing response," and warned that Tehran would not allow US interference in the management of the strait.
A top Iranian negotiator, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, accused the US of breaching the ceasefire agreement. He cited not only the latest US military strikes, but renewed oil sanctions, violations of Iranian "adjustments" in the Strait of Hormuz, and Israeli attacks against Lebanon.
"The era of bullying and extortion is over. We do not fold," Qalibaf said in a post on X.
Earlier, Iranian media reported explosions in Iran's main oil hub, Kharg Island, on Qeshm Island, and in the southern port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Iran's Press TV reported several blasts were heard in southern Kharg Island. CENTCOM made no mention of Kharg Island, from which Iran exports 90% of its crude oil.
A US official told Reuters that strikes targeted Iranian air defence systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and drone launch sites.
No civilian deaths were reported in Iran.
Iran seeks to leverage control of Strait
Control of the Strait of Hormuz has given Tehran immense leverage, effectively allowing it to force a stalemate with the world's most powerful military.
Analysts say Tehran uses attacks on ships to underscore that leverage as it negotiates a long-term peace deal with the US
Under the interim US-Iran agreement, the US Treasury issued a June 22 general licence allowing the sale of crude oil, petrochemicals, and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. In revoking that licence on Tuesday, it gave Iran until July 17 to wind down any transactions.
Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a breach of the framework agreement to end the war and said Washington would bear responsibility for the consequences.
It added that Tehran would take any measure it deemed necessary to safeguard its interests and national security.
