By Rahim Abdul
United States President Donald Trump has announced the end of the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, saying continued talks with Tehran have become a waste of time.
Trump made the remarks during a NATO meeting, stating that diplomacy had failed to produce meaningful progress and that Washington would no longer remain committed to the truce.
His comments came after US forces reportedly carried out strikes on several locations inside Iran in retaliation for attacks on three commercial vessels linked to Qatar and Saudi Arabia as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, with a significant share of global crude oil exports passing through the narrow waterway every day.
Iran responded by launching attacks on 85 US military installations located across the Gulf region, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries.
The renewed exchange of attacks has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict involving other Middle Eastern nations and international allies.
Military analysts warn that continued fighting could disrupt maritime security and international trade, particularly energy supplies moving through the Gulf.
The latest developments have also raised concerns in global financial markets, with investors closely monitoring the security situation in the region.
Economists say renewed conflict could trigger another increase in global oil prices after fuel costs had started to fall during the ceasefire period.
The collapse of the ceasefire is expected to deepen instability in the Middle East and increase diplomatic pressure on world powers to prevent the conflict from escalating further.
