US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington has agreed to continue negotiations with Iran after a request from Tehran, while making clear that the ceasefire between the two countries has come to an end.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue the 'talks'. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has made it clear that the ceasefire is over," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
His comments came after a fresh escalation in hostilities this week, with the United States and Iran exchanging military strikes in the most significant outbreak of violence since the memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June formalised the ceasefire originally agreed in April.
Large-scale attack
On Wednesday, Trump sharply criticised Iran's leadership, describing its leaders as "scum" and saying he no longer wanted "anything to do with them", while nevertheless leaving open the possibility that US negotiators would continue diplomatic contacts with Tehran.
Overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, the United States launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran, striking around 90 military sites, according to the US military.
Iran, however, accused Washington of also targeting civilian infrastructure in an effort to prevent people from attending the funeral of the country's former Supreme Leader.
According to Iranian authorities, bridges and the railway linking Tehran with Mashhad, where Ali Khamenei was buried, were among the sites hit.
Despite the renewed fighting, Trump's latest remarks suggest both Washington and Tehran remain willing to keep diplomatic channels open as regional mediators continue efforts to prevent a broader conflict
