President Donald Trump declared the Iran ceasefire “over” at the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, following a new round of military strikes that saw the U.S. hit over 80 Iranian targets in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“I think it’s over,” Trump said at a meeting of NATO leaders. “They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people, and they’re vicious, violent people.” He added that dealing with Iran was “just a waste of time.”
The U.S. Central Command completed the strikes late Tuesday after Iran targeted three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global shipping. According to CENTCOM, the retaliatory strikes hit more than 80 targets including air defense systems, coastal radar sites, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats.
The ceasefire, a memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran earlier in 2026, had been described by officials as fragile before this latest escalation. Trump’s declaration marks a significant shift in the military posture between the two nations, though he suggested negotiations could theoretically continue despite his stated position on the deal’s status.
Trump Lashes Out at NATO Allies Over Iran Support
Beyond his comments on Iran, Trump used the NATO summit to criticize allies he said failed to support U.S. military action. He expressed particular frustration with Spain, calling it a “terrible partner in NATO” that doesn’t participate or pay its fair share.
“Spain is a wasted cause,” Trump said during remarks alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore.” He stated he had ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off all trade with the NATO member, citing Spain’s lack of contribution to the alliance.
Trump’s criticism extended to his broader frustration with NATO members’ defense spending and their reluctance to support U.S. military operations in the Middle East. He said earlier this week that he was “very disappointed” with NATO allies over their response to the Iran conflict, claiming they were not helping the U.S. when it took military action in the region.
The comments underscore ongoing tensions between Trump and European allies over burden-sharing within the alliance and their different approaches to U.S. military interventions. European NATO members have historically been cautious about escalating conflicts in the Middle East, preferring diplomatic solutions.
Sources
- Reuters — Trump’s statement that the Iran memorandum of understanding is “over” and details on his trade cutoff with Spain
- The Washington Post — Trump’s full quotes about Iran leadership and his declaration of the ceasefire’s end at the NATO summit
- CNN — Live coverage of Trump’s statements at the NATO summit and U.S. military strike details
- NBC News — Confirmation that U.S. Central Command struck over 80 targets and Trump’s remarks on the ceasefire status
- Al Jazeera — Details on CENTCOM’s strike targets and Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
