Trump declares the ceasefire with Iran ended, orders new attacks in Hormuz and demands cutting off trade with Spain in NATO

On July 8, 2026, at the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran is "over" after a new escalation in the Strait of Hormuz. Hours later, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed additional strikes against Iran by presidential order. On the same day, Trump poured out his frustration on Spain and asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to suspend all trade and official visits with the country.

«For me? I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore, they're scum."

Hormuz: three ships and more than 80 targets

Tension spiked when Iran attacked at least three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Monday and Tuesday, according to Fox News and Al Jazeera. This route concentrates close to 20% of world oil trade. Washington and Tehran had signed a memorandum about three weeks ago to cease hostilities, lift the naval blockade and reopen the strait; The agreement faltered when Iran resumed attacks on ships despite the funeral period for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

CENTCOM reported that US forces hit more than 80 targets, including air defense systems, coastal radars, command networks and some 60 small vessels of the Revolutionary Guard. Iran responded with attacks against facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, according to international media. The account UHN Plus replied on

Nick Sortor published a clip in which Trump describes the nighttime strikes as «HEAVY» and retaliation for the Iranian attacks on ships; warns that next time it will be "MUCH WORSE" if they continue. France 24 quotes Trump as saying: «We're gonna hit 'em hard tonight», although he later clarified that he is not looking for a war long.

Spain in the spotlight

At the same summit, Trump turned against Spain, the only NATO member that did not fully commit to the goal of 5% of GDP in defense by 2030. According to POLITICO and ABC News, described the country as «wasted cause» and «terrible partner» and called on Bessent: «Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits».

«I don't want to have anything to do with Spain. Cut all trade with Spain."

The confrontation is not new: Madrid rejected the US using Spanish bases for the campaign against Iran and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized the war. Jose Vizner summarized in a thread of almost 170,000 views the complete package of the day: end of the ceasefire, crossfire in Hormuz, rising oil, demands on Greenland and the clash with Spain. La Moncloa, according to Reuters cited by Al-Monitor, downplayed the threats and spoke of a "very cordial" conversation between Sánchez and Trump.

Legal nuance: Spain is a member of the EU, which negotiates trade as a bloc; a bilateral order from Trump cannot unilaterally cut off all flows. In March he already threatened the same thing and the trade continued.

What's next?

Trump left a door ajar: American negotiators could continue talking to Iran, although he considers the talks "a waste of time." Mark Rutte supported the US military response in reaction to the violation of the ceasefire. Pakistan, Qatar and the UN called for de-escalation; oil reacted higher.

For the MARGENEZ reader, July 8 condenses three fronts: war in the Gulf (Hormuz again under fire), transatlantic fracture (Spain as a scapegoat in Ankara) and wobbly diplomacy (memorandum alive on paper, dead in practice according to Trump). X's posts accelerated the spread in Spanish; Verifiable sources continue to be the international press and military communications.