Iran deal is over, I don’t want to deal with them they are scum – Trump
United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Jul 8) that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was “over”, adding he didn’t want to engage with Tehran.
The interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran – under the mediation of Pakistan – was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of headway.
“To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them,” Trump said ahead of a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara.
“They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people,” he added alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
The US had earlier unleashed new military strikes on Iran and revoked a licence allowing Iran to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said more than 60 small boats of the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) were among the targets hit, in a bid to impose a high cost on Iran for strikes on shipping in violation of the ceasefire.
Trump added that US representatives can continue negotiations but he cast doubt on the outcome. “They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he said.
