Trump says US told Iran ceasefire is over, after Tehran agrees to talks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — US President Donald Trump said on Friday afternoon that Iran had agreed to continue talks, and that Washington had told Tehran "the ceasefire is over" with no ambiguity. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the message was delivered clearly to Iran. Reuters, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported on Friday that a Qatari delegation met Iranian officials in Tehran to lay the groundwork for resuming broader negotiations. The talks are being conducted in coordination with the United States and are aimed at implementing a US-Iran memorandum of understanding and addressing the causes of the latest escalation, including disputes over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said the security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains high and advised mariners to exercise caution in areas where mines may be present. Tracking data showed tanker transits nearly halted on Thursday as shipowners assessed the risks from recent attacks. The escalation intensified after Iranian armed forces struck US military facilities in the Gulf on Thursday, following Iran's targeting of a Qatari LNG vessel exiting the strait in waters off Oman. The United States responded with strikes on Iran's southern and eastern coasts. Two Israeli sources told CNN that the Trump administration sought to keep Israel out of a military confrontation with Iran over fears of losing control of the escalation.