Trump Declares Iran Deal Dead, Orders Trade Cut with NATO Ally Spain at Ankara Summit

U.S. President Donald Trump stunned NATO leaders gathered in Turkey on Wednesday by announcing the collapse of a fragile interim agreement with Iran and directing a full cutoff of trade ties with Spain, further straining transatlantic relations.

Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump dismissed the June memorandum of understanding with Tehran — which had aimed to pave the way for a longer-term peace deal by mid-August — as finished. “It’s over,” he said. “I don’t want to deal with them. They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people.”

The remarks come amid renewed U.S. military action against Iran, including fresh strikes and the revocation of an oil export license following attacks on tankers in the region. European leaders had hoped the summit would focus on unity and continued support for Ukraine, but Trump’s statements overshadowed those efforts and revived longstanding tensions within the alliance.

Sharp Rebuke to Spain

In a separate bombshell, Trump targeted NATO member Spain, calling it a “terrible partner” that fails to pull its weight on defense spending. He said he had instructed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to sever all trade relations with Madrid, including visits.

“Spain is a wasted cause. We don’t want to do any trade business with Spain anymore,” Trump declared. “They don’t participate, they don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, including visits.”

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s office downplayed the comments, describing them as “business as usual” and noting that bilateral relations continue to benefit both countries.

Background Tensions

The announcements highlight ongoing friction between the Trump administration and several European allies. Washington and Madrid have clashed over Trump’s push for European nations to dramatically increase military spending to shoulder more of their own defense burden.

The NATO summit in Ankara was intended to project solidarity, particularly in support of Ukraine, but instead has been dominated by disputes that risk further fracturing the alliance.

Trump’s strong language toward Iran also reflects his administration’s hardline stance, following what officials described as provocative actions by Tehran that prompted the latest U.S. response.