Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire deal with Iran to be dead after the Iranian regime, which he branded "scum", opened fire on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Trump said dealing with Iran's leadership was "a waste of time" and that he no longer wished to negotiate with them. The escalation matters because it threatens a fragile peace and has driven up global oil prices, with Brent crude reaching its highest level in weeks.

US Central Command said its forces struck more than 80 targets — including air defence systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites and anti-ship missile capabilities — as "punishment" for attacks on three commercial vessels. Iran responded with strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. Brent crude climbed to $78.39 per barrel overnight, its highest since 19 June. Despite his remarks, Trump said his negotiators still believed a peace agreement could be salvaged, though he insisted the Iranians would have to "come back" to him.