US President Donald Trump announced at the NATO summit that the interim ceasefire with Iran is "over," calling Tehran's leadership "scum" and "cuckoo." He said dealing with them is "a waste of time" and threatened further strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including oil facilities on Kharg Island.

The US military conducted strikes on dozens of Iranian targets overnight and continued attacks on Wednesday. US Central Command stated the strikes aim to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, holding Iran accountable for attacks on commercial shipping.

Iran responded with threats to completely close the Strait of Hormuz if the US follows through on its threats. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on X that "the era of bullying and extortion is over," vowing to strike enemy targets "by a ratio of two to one."

Pakistan and the United Nations called for restraint. Pakistan's Foreign Office urged all parties to uphold commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for de-escalation and resumption of talks.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the latest exchanges "further complicate already fraught talks to end the war," condemning Iran's attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. She announced EU foreign ministers will meet with Gulf counterparts to support freedom of navigation in the Strait.

International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez condemned attacks on ships, noting nearly 6,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf. At least 14 seafarers have been killed since the war began, according to the UN.

Oil prices surged over 5% for Brent crude to above $78 a barrel, with US crude crossing $75. The June memorandum had stipulated a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's commitment not to develop nuclear weapons.

Source: www.dw.com