Trump says Iran ceasefire on 'life support' after rejecting Tehran's peace proposals

US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran to be "on life support" after harshly rejecting Tehran's latest peace proposals, calling Iran's response to an American peace proposal "garbage" and "stupid." Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said he hadn't even finished reading the Iranian document, dismissing it as a "piece of garbage." The diplomatic breakdown has intensified fears of a possible return to open conflict in the Gulf region and dashed hopes for a quick reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.

The current conflict between the US and Iran has been ongoing for ten weeks and has brought shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important trade routes, to a virtual standstill. Iran controls this waterway and is blocking passage for commercial shipping, leading to significant disruptions in global trade and rising oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz is crucial for worldwide energy transport, with approximately one-fifth of globally traded oil passing through the narrow waterway.

According to reports, Iran had made specific demands in its counterproposal, including the release of frozen assets, compensation payments, and an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports. Tehran also demanded guarantees for the safety of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. These demands met with firm rejection in Washington, with Trump describing the Iranian conditions as completely unacceptable and fueling concerns that the conflict would continue to drag on.

Iranian officials defended their proposal as reasonable and appropriate. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected American criticism, stating that Iran's response was "not excessive." Instead, he accused the US of making "unreasonable" demands and criticized Israeli influence on Washington's negotiating position. Baghaei emphasized that Iran was seeking peace while American conditions were unrealistic, highlighting the widening gap between the two sides' positions.

Despite his harsh criticism of Iranian leadership, whom he described as "very dishonourable," Trump simultaneously suggested that a deal with Iran remained "very possible." He pointed to his administration having been close to agreements with Tehran multiple times before, only for Iran to change its mind. These contradictory signals reflect the complex dynamics of the negotiations, where both sides publicly demonstrate toughness while keeping diplomatic channels open.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Trump is considering resuming US naval escorts for merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Such a measure would represent a significant military escalation and increase the risk of direct confrontations between American and Iranian forces. The president also announced plans to suspend the federal gasoline tax to help offset rising fuel prices for American consumers, acknowledging the domestic economic impact of the crisis.

The failed negotiations have already produced tangible economic consequences. Oil prices have risen as a direct reaction to the diplomatic deadlock, and trade disruptions from the blocked waterway are straining the global economy. Many shipping companies have altered their routes, taking longer paths that result in higher transport costs and delivery delays, affecting supply chains worldwide.

The international community is watching developments with growing concern. A return to open hostilities between the US and Iran would not only threaten regional stability but also have far-reaching consequences for the world economy. Energy markets are particularly sensitive to any escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, where a significant portion of global oil production and transport is concentrated.

The sharp exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran has raised the specter of renewed conflict, with both sides appearing to harden their positions. Iran's demands for asset releases and port access guarantees clash fundamentally with US security concerns and alliance commitments, particularly regarding Israel's influence on American policy in the region.

Although Trump described the ceasefire as "unbelievably weak" and at its "weakest point," it remains unclear how long the current pause in hostilities will hold. Both sides face considerable domestic political pressure to achieve results, which further complicates the negotiations. The coming days will reveal whether diplomats can find a way out of the impasse or whether the region is heading toward further escalation.

The failure to reach an agreement has particularly disappointed hopes for a quick resolution that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. The continued blockade affects not only oil and gas shipments but also other commercial goods, contributing to inflationary pressures globally. Trump's consideration of naval escorts represents a potential military solution, but one that carries significant risks of direct confrontation and further escalation in an already volatile region.