Iran, US to continue 'technical talks' after Trump declares ceasefire over
The United States and Iran will keep back-channel technical talks alive even as President Donald Trump declared their month-old ceasefire 'over' following days of tit-for-tat strikes. Both sides have exchanged attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, unsettling global oil markets.
The ceasefire agreed between the United States and Iran last month has come under severe strain after both sides exchanged strikes for several consecutive days, U.S. officials said Friday. President Donald Trump said this week that the truce was 'over' as far as he was concerned, even as Washington indicated it would keep technical talks with Tehran open through back channels.
The latest exchanges followed attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil supply, sending shipping traffic through the route sharply lower and rattling energy markets already on edge since the conflict flared. Iranian officials have vowed a 'fearless' response to any further U.S. strikes, while American officials say they are prepared to escalate if attacks continue.
The renewed hostilities have complicated diplomatic efforts led by regional mediators who helped broker the original ceasefire, and analysts warn a full collapse of the truce could further disrupt oil supplies and shipping routes through the Gulf. Washington has not set a timeline for resuming formal negotiations.
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