WASHINGTON, United States: US President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States has agreed to continue negotiations with Iran but reiterated that the ceasefire between the two countries is over.
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 posted on his Truth Social platform.
“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! Thank you for your attention to this matter.” – President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/TzZikn1Cya
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 10, 2026
US military stresses Iran ‘does not control’ Strait of Hormuz
Meanwhile, US Central Command (Centcom) has dismissed claims by Iran’s state media that transiting the Strait of Hormuz is only possible if permitted by Tehran.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz,” Centcom says in a post on X.
It adds that since early May, US forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of oil through the strategic waterway.
🚫 CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is only permitted through routes designated by Iran.
✅ TRUTH: Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800… pic.twitter.com/cpnTDBoFEG
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 9, 2026
Qatar in talks with US, Iran to de-escalate situation
Qatar is also holding discussions with the United States and Iran as part of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East following recent exchanges of strikes between Washington and Tehran, according to a report by The New York Times.
The Gulf state has been engaging with both sides through diplomatic channels in an effort to ease tensions and prevent further escalation, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
Read Also: Pakistan Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts to De-Escalate Renewed US-Iran Tensions
US, Iran trade fresh strikes
Earlier, the United States and Iran exchanged fresh military strikes with Washington saying it hit 90 Iranian military targets and Tehran launching retaliatory attacks against US assets and regional allies, while commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped dramatically amid escalating security fears.
JMIC Advisory Note: 013-26
Click here to view the full advisory note⤵️https://t.co/mCeqf5ZFVr#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/z3fKAMwjgJ
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) July 10, 2026
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out strikes on 90 Iranian military targets, including air defence systems and logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline, saying the operation was intended to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump threatens more strikes on Iran
President Trump on Wednesday said the United States would carry out more strikes on Iran, declaring, “We’re probably going to hit them hard again tonight,” after he insisted the US-Iran ceasefire was effectively over following the two sides exchanged fresh military strikes.
Speaking to reporters during a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Trump said the United States will carry out further strikes on Iran tonight.
“We hit them very hard last night … we’re probably going to hit them hard again tonight,” the US President told reporters. “I’ll give them a little warning, we’re going to hit them hard tonight.”
Pakistan intensifies diplomatic efforts
Mediator Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran and bring both sides back to negotiations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) framework to permanently end the conflict.
The Islamabad MoU was signed on June 18 by US President Donald Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
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FM @araghchi held a phone call with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss the latest regional developments. He condemned the U.S. military attacks on #Iran as clear violations of the UN Charter and the Islamabad Memorandum. #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/1iNlcuhQ7g— Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (@Iran_GOV) July 9, 2026
Under the Islamabad MoU, the US and Iran committed to halt military operations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and negotiate a comprehensive agreement covering Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent ceasefire within 60 days.
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday evening, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported.
During the telephone conversation, Field Marshal Munir and Araghchi discussed the latest regional developments and Pakistan-mediated Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran, according to the IRNA news agency.
