U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the fragile ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after rejecting Tehran’s response to a U.S.-backed peace proposal, raising fears that the 10-week conflict could escalate again.
The crisis, which has already claimed thousands of lives and severely disrupted global energy supplies, deepened after Iran submitted conditions focused on ending hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, where Israel continues military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Speaking to reporters, Trump dismissed Iran’s proposal as worthless, saying the ceasefire had only a “1 percent chance” of survival. He accused Iranian leaders of repeatedly changing their position and abandoning earlier understandings, including a reported arrangement that would have allowed the U.S. to remove Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
Trump reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Iran, however, defended its response, insisting its demands were reasonable. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was seeking an end to the war, removal of the U.S. naval blockade, release of frozen Iranian assets, and guarantees against future attacks. Iran also stressed its authority over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and called for broader regional security measures.
The growing deadlock has intensified pressure on global oil markets. Brent crude prices climbed about 2.7 percent to roughly $104 per barrel as the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz sharply reduced energy shipments. Before the conflict began in late February, the waterway handled around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
Shipping activity through the strait has fallen dramatically, forcing several oil producers to reduce exports. Tanker tracking data also indicated that some vessels moved through the area with tracking systems disabled to avoid potential attacks.
Trump warned that although Iran had suffered significant setbacks, the conflict was far from over. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that additional operations may still be necessary to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and weaken its regional allies and missile capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries recorded its lowest oil production level in more than two decades during April, according to a Reuters survey. Output fell sharply as the conflict and Hormuz disruptions prevented several producers from maintaining exports.
Kuwait experienced the steepest production decline, while Saudi Arabia and Iraq also posted lower output. The United Arab Emirates was the only Gulf producer able to increase exports due to alternative export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The crisis continues to fuel uncertainty across global energy markets and diplomatic circles as efforts to revive negotiations remain stalled.
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