Trump Confirms End of Iran Ceasefire, Warns of Severe Retaliation Amid Rising Tensions

Following a series of nighttime clashes between Iran and the United States, President Donald Trump reiterated on Friday that the ceasefire with Iran has ended. However, he stated that the Islamic Republic requested to continue negotiations, and the U.S. agreed to do so. Iranian officials denied these claims, with senior negotiator Mohammad Marandi labeling the reports of upcoming talks as "fake news."

In an interview with the New York Post, Trump revealed that he left instructions for his administration in case Iran attempts to assassinate him, describing himself as "number one" on Iran's hit list for years. He warned that any such act would trigger unprecedented U.S. military retaliation. Trump also dismissed reports that Israel had informed the U.S. of an imminent Iranian assassination plan, saying, "Israel did not bring anything up."

Satellite images released on Friday showed the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier and two accompanying destroyers near Iranian waters, marking the closest documented U.S. naval presence since the conflict escalated. Meanwhile, a refinery in the Iranian city of Pol Dokhtar caught fire, with investigations underway into the cause.

Earlier this week, Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he was willing to give diplomacy another chance but intended to adopt a tougher stance moving forward. Despite his declaration that the ceasefire is over, Trump allowed that negotiations could continue. Behind the scenes, U.S. officials told CNN that deliberate U.S. strikes were aimed at avoiding escalation and encouraging diplomacy, while maintaining a list of potential targets in Iran.

Regional mediators, particularly Qatar, are actively working to prevent renewed warfare between the U.S. and Iran. Iranian officials issued stern warnings of retaliation against Israel for any attacks on Iranian infrastructure. On the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, crew members armed fighter jets and conducted drills in preparation for possible strikes, with the captain emphasizing the escalating situation and the need for operational readiness.