Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire 'Over' but Keeps Talking
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Trump said Friday the U.S. agreed to continue talks with Iran but declared the ceasefire "OVER" on Truth Social — two days after first announcing on Wednesday that the ceasefire was "over" and expressing little faith in productive negotiations.
- Qatari negotiators traveled to Iran on Friday in coordination with the U.S. to meet with Iranian officials and create conditions for negotiations to resume.
- Regional mediators conducted de-escalation efforts over the prior 48 hours to prevent total collapse of the U.S.-Iran deal, according to Axios.
- A diplomat with knowledge said "it's clear both sides want to come back to the MOU," with another round of negotiations expected next week, possibly in Switzerland.
- Trump wrote: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!"
Why it matters: The split posture of declaring the ceasefire dead while keeping negotiations alive leaves the U.S.-Iran MOU in legal limbo, with Qatari mediators shuttling to Tehran as the active channel to preserve the deal. A diplomat indicated both sides want to return to the MOU, with another round of talks expected next week, possibly in Switzerland.
