President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States has agreed to continue negotiations with Iran, but stressed that the ceasefire with Tehran is over. The statement came as Iran threatened to expand retaliatory attacks against Israel and as international mediators scrambled to prevent a complete collapse of the memorandum of understanding signed last month.
Trump's Social Media Post
“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 ceasefire is OVER!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The implications of the statement remained unclear, especially given that the White House indicated Thursday night it was prepared to adhere to the MOU terms if Iran did the same.
The post emerged amid reports that Qatari, Pakistani, and other mediators had worked to quell the US-Iran flare-up and prevent the MOU from collapsing. A Qatari delegation visited Iran on Friday, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency. Axios reported that the visit was coordinated with the US, quoting a diplomat saying, “It’s clear both sides want to come back to the MOU.” Mediators believed the US and Iran had made progress toward a nuclear accord before the recent escalation.
Iran's Stance: Ready for All-Out Defense
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Tehran is prepared for “all-out defense” if Washington betrays the MOU, and that the war will never end with Iran’s surrender. Speaking during a meeting with Indonesian parliamentary speaker Ahmad Muzani, Ghalibaf stated he had told US Vice President JD Vance that Tehran does not trust Washington. “Only those prepared for war can negotiate with the United States,” he said, according to a post on his Telegram account.
Trump's Threats of Military Force
Trump told The New York Post on Friday that he has “left instructions” for the US to respond with overwhelming military force if Iran succeeds in assassinating him. “I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with,” he said. “The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.” Asked about Israeli intelligence of a new Iranian assassination plot, Trump dismissed it, saying, “No, no. Israel came up with nothing.” He added that Iran has wanted him dead for years.
Israel Awaits Trump's Go-Ahead
Hours before Trump’s post, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Council threatened to target Israel in response to American attacks. In Israel, Kan public broadcaster reported that some in Jerusalem wanted to renew strikes on Iran but were waiting for Trump’s go-ahead. An unnamed Jerusalem source told The New York Post that Israel is willing to join future strikes and fully renew the war. “We’re willing to do it again, if needed,” the source said, adding that Israel does not want to “ignore what’s happening in Iran.”
Egypt and Qatar Call for Resumption of Talks
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani urged the US and Iran to resume negotiations. In a phone call, they “urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table,” Egypt’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
International Shipping Group Rejects Iran's Strait Authority
The International Maritime Organization’s 40-member governing council passed a non-binding decision “strongly condemning” Iran’s establishment of an entity to control traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution called on member states not to recognize Iran’s claim of sovereignty over the strait or any Iranian decisions aimed at interfering with international navigation. Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority had issued an advisory last month requiring vessels to obtain a passage permit. Iran, which does not have a seat on the council, rejected the allegations as “selective, politically motivated and legally unfounded,” stating its steps are meant to safeguard sovereignty and security interests.
Russia Suspends Return of Workers to Iran's Nuclear Plant
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom announced Friday it had suspended the return of its first employees to the construction site of new units at Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant following new strikes on Iran. An Iranian official told state media Thursday that a projectile had struck the perimeter area of the facility, hitting a military site on the outskirts of Bushehr.
