Trump says Iran ceasefire is over, warns 'it will get much worse' after fresh US strikes

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire effectively over on Wednesday, July 8, as the United States launched another round of military strikes against Iran following recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation marked the second consecutive night of US strikes. Trump defended the military action on Truth Social, describing it as "in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran." He also warned Tehran that any future attacks would prompt an even stronger military response.

Trump defends fresh US strikes as retaliation for Hormuz tanker attacks

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that US forces had begun conducting "additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

The command said the operation was carried out at the direction of the commander in chief and was intended to hold Iran accountable for what it described as recent aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews navigating international waters.

Iranian state media reported explosions in several locations, including Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Sirik, Konarak and Chabahar, although the full extent of the strikes was not immediately clear.

After the strikes began, Trump defended the military action, writing that the operation was "in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran." The president also issued a warning, "If it happens again, it will get much worse!"

The latest escalation followed Iranian attacks on three commercial oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, July 6. Washington had already responded with an earlier wave of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure before launching the latest operation.

Trump questions whether Iran can honor a future agreement

Hours before the operation, Trump told reporters that, "As far as I'm concerned, it's over," when asked about the future of the ceasefire reached between Washington and Tehran last month. Despite declaring the ceasefire effectively over, Trump said diplomatic contacts could continue.

Speaking aboard Air Force One after departing the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump claimed Iranian officials had recently reached out seeking renewed negotiations. "They want to make a deal so badly," Trump said.

However, the president questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to uphold any future agreement. "I just do not know if they are worthy of making a deal. I do not know if they can honor the deal, that is the problem," he said.

Trump also said the US had already achieved its military objectives. "There are many ways we can win it. We already won militarily," he said.

When asked why Iran had attacked commercial vessels despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump replied, "Because they're sort of crazy, to be honest with you. They're sort of crazy. They're a little bit out of control. But they want to make a deal, badly."

The latest military exchange further clouded the future of negotiations launched under a 60-day ceasefire framework aimed at easing sanctions, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing disputes over Iran's nuclear program.