On Monday, President Donald Trump dismissed any possibility of renewing talks with Iran, declaring that the United States will escalate military actions against the Iranian regime. Trump labeled them as "bad people" who consistently breach agreements with Washington.
In a video shared by the official Rapid Response 47 account, Trump remarked that the ceasefire agreement known as the Islamabad Memorandum "was finalized" before Iran violated it, as they have with nearly a dozen prior accords.
"It was finalized, and then they broke it. They always do. We've had ten agreements with these people. So we're just going to hit them very hard," stated the President.
The Islamabad Memorandum, signed on June 17 and 18, 2026, with the mediation of Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, called for a 60-day ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, initiating denuclearization talks, and unfreezing Iranian assets worth between $12 billion and $25 billion, along with access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund.
The agreement fell apart when Iran attacked at least three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on July 6 and 7, including a tanker that caught fire after being hit by an Iranian projectile.
Trump declared the truce "over" on July 8 during the NATO summit in Ankara and ordered bombings on more than 80 Iranian targets. Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, resulting in at least one death and 60 injuries.
This past Sunday, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed a third wave of bombings that struck over 300 Iranian military targets within a single week.
Moreover, Trump announced that Washington will permanently control the Strait of Hormuz and demand financial compensation from nations benefiting from the maritime passage.
"We've guarded the strait for over 50 years and never got paid for it. Now we're going to guard it, and they're going to pay us a lot," he asserted.
The President also addressed internal repression in Iran, claiming the regime has killed 52,000 protesters. Although this figure hasn't been independently verified, human rights organizations report thousands of deaths and over 22,000 arrests since protests erupted in December 2025 due to the rial's collapse and the economic crisis.
The open conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran erupted in February 2026 with Operation Epic Fury, during which Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28.
His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed the new Supreme Leader on March 8, leading a regime simultaneously facing external warfare and a significant internal legitimacy crisis.
It's worth noting that CIA Director John Ratcliffe had already warned Trump before signing the June agreement that Iran was unlikely to adhere to its nuclear commitments, particularly regarding the central dispute over the duration of the uranium enrichment ban: Washington demanded 20 years, while Tehran offered between five and 15.
On Monday, Trump closed the door on any resumption of dialogue with a decisive remark: "They're bad people. They've been so for a long time. And right now, they're getting what they deserve."
Key Aspects of U.S.-Iran Tensions
Why did Trump decide to escalate military actions against Iran?
Trump decided to intensify military actions because Iran repeatedly violated agreements, including the recent Islamabad Memorandum, and attacked commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
What was the Islamabad Memorandum?
The Islamabad Memorandum was a ceasefire agreement, signed in June 2026, involving a 60-day ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and starting denuclearization talks, among other stipulations.
How did Iran retaliate to U.S. military actions?
In response, Iran attacked U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, causing casualties, including at least one death and 60 injuries.
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz in this conflict?
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime passage for global oil shipments, and its control has significant geopolitical and economic implications.