Trump says ‘never liked’ Pakistan-brokered Iran peace deal, Tehran hits back

The interim deal, reached in June this year, quickly collapsed and failed to achieve any of its goals, including negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Iran on Wednesday slammed US President Donald Trump over his remarks describing the interim ceasefire agreement reached in June as a “waste of time”, saying that his comments “expose the hollowness” of Washington’s diplomatic commitments.US President Donald Trump said he had “never liked” the ceasefire agreement with Iran. (REUTERS)Notably, the agreement, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, called for an end to military operations and set a 60-day deadline to reach a lasting peace deal and resolve the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities.The deal, which was brokered by Pakistan, quickly collapsed and failed to achieve any of its goals, including negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.What did Trump say?Speaking at a rally in Mississippi on Monday during his final campaign push ahead of the US midterm elections, Trump said he had “never liked” the ceasefire agreement with Iran.He described it as “sort of a waste of time. But, you know, you like to listen to professionals.”Trump did not elaborate on his remarks. He was referring to the ceasefire his administration said it had reached with Iran in June. Since then, both sides have accused each other of violating the agreement, which has largely fallen apart.Iran targets Trump over remarks on ceasefireIranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei slammed Trump’s comments, accusing Washington of failing to honour its commitments and demanding accountability for what he called “US misconduct”.“President Trump’s admission that he never believed in the Islamabad MoU and considered it a waste of time exposes the hollowness of their diplomatic commitments,” he said in a post on X on Wednesday.Baqaei said the US had a “long record of reneging on its commitments and treating international obligations as disposable whenever they become inconvenient”.“Broken commitments cannot be excused, international law cannot be applied selectively, and no amount of political spin can absolve Washington of accountability,” he added.June agreement between US, IranThe Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was reached with the involvement of Qatar, Iran’s Gulf neighbour, and Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran. Negotiations were held in Islamabad.The agreement included arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz and a resumption of diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington to work towards a broader agreement.The agreement eventually collapsed after Iran and the US accused each other of violating its terms.With inputs from agenciesFollow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreUs Top NewsIranDonald TrumpUs Iran WarGet the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.