On July 11, 2026, Iran asserted it had "kept its word" on a ceasefire with the United States despite President Donald Trump's insistence that the truce was over. Trump, however, agreed to continue negotiations with the Islamic Republic, marking a complex and tense moment in their relations.

The ceasefire, aimed at stabilizing the region after months of conflict, was shaken by recent exchanges of fire. Trump escalated rhetoric on his Truth Social platform, threatening to "completely decimate" Iran if it attempted or succeeded in assassinating him. He stated, "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!"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by accusing the US Treasury Secretary of violating paragraph 9 of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed weeks earlier, asserting Tehran had upheld its commitments. The US Treasury Department revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil, cancelling a license that had allowed Tehran to produce and sell crude oil through August 21.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, also mediating the conflict, held talks with Qatar's emir to address the escalation and urged Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to safeguard the "hard-earned peace."

Reports indicate that while no direct talks between Iran and the US have occurred since last month, a delegation from mediator Qatar was in Tehran following the recent strikes. Washington reportedly gave Tehran until Saturday to cease firing on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and acknowledge the waterway's openness.

This development highlights ongoing volatility in US-Iran relations despite diplomatic efforts to maintain peace.

Sources