Washington: US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has asked Washington to continue 'talks' and that Washington agreed to do so, while reiterating that a ceasefire secured last month between the two countries was "over."

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump expressed on his social media platform Truth Social that the United States has made it clear to Iran that the ceasefire is no longer in effect. "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 wrote.

In a separate statement, Trump revealed during an interview with the New York Post that he has left instructions for the US to retaliate with massive strikes against Iran if there were any attempts on his life by Tehran. "I've left instructions - if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they've never seen before," he stated, emphasizing the longstanding threat he perceives from Iran.

The recent developments come in the wake of a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June between Iran and the US, mediated by Pakistan, aimed at ending military conflicts and establishing a lasting peace agreement. However, the situation has rapidly escalated, with both nations exchanging attacks over the past two days.

The escalation followed Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a series of retaliatory strikes by Tehran on US military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan. These attacks were in response to overnight US strikes, marking a significant deterioration in the already tense relations between the two countries.