Trump declares US-Iran ceasefire over, agrees to keep

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States and Iran had agreed to keep talking, even as he declared the ceasefire between the two countries dead. The mixed message capped a week that saw the heaviest fighting since a shaky truce took hold last month.

This week saw three tanker ships belonging to Qatar and Saudi Arabia come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, which led to the United States attacking various sites in Iran. Iran attacked military facilities of the United States in the Gulf states. This Friday, there were no further attacks in sight.

Trump’s take on US-Iran ceasefire

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"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. Iran's foreignceasefire isputed that account, saying it had not requested talks but had agreed only to host a Qatari delegation.

Trump also said he had ordered the US military to prepare strikes against Iran if Tehran attempted to assassinate him, citing reports that Iran had devised such a plot.

He stated that "1,000 missiles are locked and loaded" and ready to target Iran in case the situation becomes dangerous. The statement was made following the funeral of Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated in the first airstrike of the war on February 28.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, will be travelling to Oman for talks regarding the safe passage of the ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which was carrying one fifth of global oil reserves prior to the war.

The US government has been pressuring Iran to announce its cessation of attacks on ships passing through the area. US air strikes over the past week have killed at least 17 people and injured 115, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.

Oil prices have surged to their highest level since June last year, marking an increase in crude oil prices of the previous eight weeks. The following days will tell if diplomacy can beat further strikes.