Trump Declares MOU 'Over,' Threatens Renewed Strikes
US President Donald Trump declared the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) effectively dead on Wednesday, calling Tehran's leadership 'scum' and warning of further military action. Speaking at a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said: 'To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them. They're scum. They're sick people. They're led by sick people. And they're vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they'd use it.'
The president's comments followed overnight US strikes on Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz, which the US Central Command said were aimed at 'degrading their ability to threaten freedom of navigation.' The US military said the strikes were in response to 'unjustified aggression against commercial shipping.'
Iran Retaliates, Reports Eight Military Deaths
Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US Gulf allies Bahrain and Kuwait, with Kuwait reporting it intercepted two ballistic missiles and 13 drones. The Iranian Army's Public Relations Office confirmed eight military members were killed in the US strikes, a rare announcement listing names and ranks. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi called Trump 'criminal and murderous,' posting on X: 'The criminal and murderous Trump should be spoken to in the language he understands, apparently, that is the language of force.'
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added that addressing Iran with 'derogatory language does not diminish its greatness,' warning that Tehran would respond to 'vulgarity' with 'action.' Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated the US had 'effectively violated' the MOU through its military attacks, vowing Iran would continue to safeguard its national interests.
Trump Suggests Iran's Leadership 'May Be Gone'
Trump suggested that Iran's leadership could be eliminated, saying: 'Everything's gone, their leaders are gone. They had leaders, they're gone, and they had another set of leaders, they're gone, now they have another set of leaders, they may be gone, who knows?' He also threatened to reinstate the US blockade of Iranian ports, a move that would further collapse the MOU, and acknowledged Iran might respond by dropping mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
'We hit them very hard last night, very probably hit them hard again tonight,' Trump said. He later claimed the US had targeted Iran's Kharg Island oil hub but refrained from bombing infrastructure, a claim not immediately verified.
Oil Prices Spike Amid Uncertainty
Oil prices shot up following Trump's remarks, as a renewed conflict could disrupt energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil supply. Trump denied that a war was starting, asserting: 'I don't think it's going to start again. I think it's going to go very quickly. They hit a couple of ships, and so we hit them much harder.' He stressed the US was 'not looking for long term' and had managed to get significant oil out of the strait since the MOU.
Critics argue Iran is exploiting US aversion to a prolonged conflict, aware that Trump does not want oil prices to rise before the November midterms. Trump paradoxically stated: 'I'm not sure I want to make a deal. Let's just finish the job.'
Iran Warns It Will Not Back Down
An Iranian security force official told Press TV that Iran would not permit any new route outside its own arrangements for managing the Strait of Hormuz. The source warned that Iran would close the strait in response to any renewed attacks. Araghchi concluded: 'Addressing the civilized and courageous nation of Iran with derogatory language does not diminish its greatness. Iranians are known for their civility, culture, and strong moral values. We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valor.'
