"Talks Are On, the Ceasefire Is Over"... Trump's Ultimatum to Iran

[Financial News] President Donald Trump signaled that he remains open to negotiations with Iran, while taking a hard-line stance that the existing ceasefire agreement is effectively void. The message is being read as a strong warning that the United States will keep the door open to a diplomatic resolution, but could quickly resume devastating military options if Iran stages further provocations.
President Trump said on the 10th, local time, via his social media account on Truth Social that he had agreed to Iran's request to resume dialogue. He added, however, that he had firmly told them that the ceasefire was over.
Earlier, after three oil tankers were hit in a series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States carried out a surprise two-day retaliatory airstrike targeting Iran from the 7th. Shortly after the strikes began, President Trump told reporters that he believed the memorandum of understanding on ending hostilities with Iran was "over," signaling intense pressure.
Diplomatic and military experts say the U.S. stance reflects a sophisticated two-track strategy aimed at both preventing escalation and projecting force. By keeping the negotiating table open, Washington can ease the burden of a full-scale war. At the same time, by formally declaring the ceasefire over, it appears to be positioning itself to secure the upper hand in any future talks.
Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical point, neighboring countries are moving quickly to mediate.
According to CNN, Qatar's mediation team made a surprise visit to Tehran to help coordinate a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan, along with other major regional powers, are also engaged in intense behind-the-scenes diplomacy to keep the possibility of dialogue alive and prevent the worst-case scenario.


jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter