President Donald Trump on Friday, posted on Truth Social that the Islamic Republic of Iran has asked to continue "talks" and that the U.S. agreed, but he emphatically stated "the Cease Fire is OVER!" in no uncertain terms. Qatari mediators are reportedly in Iran for talks in coordination with the U.S. and Pakistan.

While Trump confirmed ongoing diplomatic engagement, he said the June ceasefire agreement is nullified following recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “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!” he wrote.

The "Cease Fire" Trump referred to was a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 17, 2026. This interim deal was intended to pause the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran—which originally erupted on February 28, 2026—and restore the flow of international shipping.

However, the truce collapsed earlier this week when Iran attcked three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. Iran blamed U.S. attempt to undermine the Persian nation's management of transit through the Strait.

The U.S. has reportedly given Iran until Saturday (July 11, 2026) to issue a formal, public statement. Washington is demanding that Tehran explicitly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all international transit and pledge an immediate halt to all attacks on commercial vessels. U.S. officials have warned that if Iran continues to disrupt shipping or engage in hostile acts, the military will resume heavy strikes.

Compounding the geopolitical tension, Trump revealed during a phone interview with the New York Post on Friday, that he has prepared a severe military contingency plan in the event that Iran successfully targets him.

“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with… The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before,” Trump claimed.

Israel reportedly shared fresh intelligence with U.S. officials tracking specific Iranian plots against Trump. While Trump publicly downplayed the new intelligence in his interview, U.S. intelligence agencies have been monitoring a steady stream of threats, but are skeptical of Israel's intelligence and motives.

The rhetoric has reached a boiling point during the multiday mass funeral proceedings in Iran for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. At the state-sponsored viewings, massive banners calling for Trump's death were prominently displayed by the regime. Tehran has openly vowed vengeance against Trump ever since the 2020 strike that killed Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

Israel shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran was developing a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, a report that coincided with the resumption of hostilities and U.S. strikes on Iran following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

While the White House pointed to Trump’s claims that he is Iran’s "number one target," many U.S. officials doubted the new intelligence, viewing it as potentially unvetted and part of a broader Israeli effort to influence Trump’s decision-making regarding further military action.

The U.S. had not independently verified the specific plot, though it noted a steady flow of general threats against Trump in recent weeks.

The intelligence sharing occurs amid strained relations between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has opposed Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Iran, arguing for continued military operations to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, whereas Trump has sought to end the conflict due to economic concerns.

Iran has long vowed to retaliate against Trump for the 2020 drone strike that killed top general Qasem Soleimani, and mourners at the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently chanted slogans calling for Trump’s death. He was killed, along with some of his family members, by US and Israeli strikes at the start of the war on February 28.

Tensions have escalated significantly recently, with a previously agreed-upon 60-day ceasefire now described by Trump as "over" after Iran attacked multiple vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the U.S. launched strikes on dozens of sites across Iran, while Iranian forces retaliated with attacks on Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.

France defeated Morocco 2-0 in the first quarterfinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The victory sends France to their third consecutive World Cup semifinal, where they will face the winner of the Spain-Belgium match on July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The match was scoreless through the first half despite France dominating possession and chances. The breakthrough moment came in the 26th minute when Kylian Mbappé was fouled by Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui inside the penalty area, earning a penalty kick. However, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a crucial save, diving to his left to stop Mbappé's softly-hit effort.

France finally broke through in the 60th minute when Mbappé redeemed his earlier miss with a superb curling shot from just inside the penalty area that found the back of the net past Issa Diop. This marked Mbappé's eighth goal of the tournament and his 20th career World Cup goal, moving him level with Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.

Just six minutes later at the 66-minute mark, reigning Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé doubled France's lead with a low strike from the top of the penalty area. Despite Bounou getting a hand to the ball, he couldn't push it wide enough, marking Dembélé's fifth goal of this World Cup.

Dembélé's performance was particularly noteworthy, as this was his fourth goal at Gillette Stadium during this World Cup, following his hat trick against Norway on June 26.

Mbappé was substituted off with about 15 minutes remaining after going down and spending time on the ground. However, the 27-year-old walked off under his own power and waved to the crowd to indicate he was alright, easing concerns about his availability for the semifinal.

France dominated the match statistically, registering 22 total shots compared to Morocco's mere 5 attempts, with only 1 on target for the Atlas Lions. The French side had 8 shots on goal while Morocco managed just 1, highlighting the defensive struggle throughout the match.

Despite Morocco having slightly more possession at 52% compared to France's 48%, the French were far more efficient in attack. France completed 485 passes with 89% accuracy, while Morocco completed 524 passes at 86% accuracy. Both teams earned 5 corner kicks each, but France's pressure was relentless throughout the second half.

France's victory Thursday, sets up a highly anticipated semifinal clash against either Spain or Belgium, who were scheduled to play their quarterfinal on July 10 in Inglewood. The winner of that match will face France on July 14 in Arlington, Texas, with a spot in the World Cup final on the line.

France has won the World Cup twice in their history—first in 1998 as the host nation and again in 2018 in Russia.