Donald Trump has said the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is “on life support,” signalling that Washington may resume naval escorts for US vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions over the strategic shipping lane deepen. The remarks come amid rising oil prices, stalled diplomacy and growing fears that the confrontation could escalate into a wider regional crisis.
Trump dismisses Iranian proposals and warns ceasefire may collapse
The US president rejected Tehran’s latest peace proposals as inadequate and insisted he was under no domestic pressure to strike a deal with Iran.
Speaking about the ceasefire that has been in place since April 7, Trump said the truce was now in its weakest state since the conflict paused. “I’d call it the weakest point so far. After reading the rubbish they sent us, I didn’t even finish it,” Trump said. “The ceasefire is on massive life support — like when a doctor walks in and says your loved one has a 1% chance of survival.”
Last week, Washington sent Iran a series of conditions aimed largely at preventing further expansion of Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran responded over the weekend with counterproposals that Trump swiftly dismissed.
White House revisits military escort plan in Hormuz
Trump had temporarily shelved “Project Freedom”, a plan to provide military escorts for oil tankers travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, less than three days after unveiling it. Officials said the pause was intended to give Tehran time to respond to US proposals.
The initiative also faced opposition from Saudi Arabia, which reportedly refused to allow its airspace or military bases to be used for operations it viewed as escalatory.
However, with negotiations deadlocked and Iran threatening to maintain restrictions in the strait unless its demands are met, the White House now appears to be reconsidering military options.
Tehran insists sanctions relief must come first
Iranian officials maintained that no further talks would take place unless key economic and political demands were met.
Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, said negotiations would remain frozen until sanctions were lifted, blocked funds released, wartime damages compensated and Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz recognised.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei described Tehran’s proposals as “reasonable, responsible and generous”, adding that a diplomatic breakthrough was still possible.
Meanwhile, Iranian MP Mostafa Taheri said new transit fees proposed for ships passing through Hormuz could generate up to $15bn annually — roughly one-third of Iran’s current oil revenues.
Oil markets rattled as shipping crisis deepens
Oil prices climbed above $105 a barrel after Iran declared there would be no further negotiations over the blockade unless its conditions were accepted.
The standoff has severely disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Shipping companies continue separate negotiations with both Washington and Tehran in attempts to secure safe passage, but tanker traffic remains minimal.
Particular concern centred on a Panama-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tanker departing from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, amid fears of further confrontation at sea.
China summit looms over Trump’s Iran strategy
The crisis is expected to overshadow Trump’s summit with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week.
China maintains deep economic ties with Iran, and analysts believe Xi is unlikely to agree to any US request to curb Chinese purchases of Iranian oil or restrict arms sales between Beijing and Tehran.
Trump had reportedly hoped the Iran conflict would be largely resolved before what is considered the most important diplomatic summit of his year. Despite postponing his Beijing visit in March, the US president still appears far from securing a breakthrough with Tehran.
Humanitarian concerns grow as tankers remain stranded
Diplomatic efforts are continuing behind the scenes to ease the maritime crisis.
Badr Albusaidi held talks with Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation, on establishing a new operating framework for the strait and delivering emergency humanitarian assistance to stranded crews.
The IMO estimates that nearly 1,500 tankers and around 20,000 sailors remain trapped in the Gulf region. Dominguez warned that essential supplies, including food, water and fuel, could soon run critically low.
Economic pressure mounts inside Iran
Signs are also emerging of intensifying economic strain within Iran.
Tehran’s city council announced that offices had been ordered to reduce electricity consumption by 30% during working hours and by 70% outside office hours. The measures apply to both public and private sector organisations.
Medical officials warned that national medicine supplies had sharply declined, while estimates suggest internet shutdowns are costing the Iranian economy between $30m and $40m a day in direct losses, with wider indirect damage potentially twice as high.
Iran’s parliament, which suspended public sittings during the conflict, has now resumed deliberations online following recommendations from the country’s supreme national security council.
Reformist newspapers in Tehran warned that inflation, declining purchasing power and fears over shortages of essential goods were placing growing pressure on public opinion.
On Tuesday, United Kingdom and France will host a meeting involving 40 defence ministers to discuss contributions to a future multinational taskforce aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz following any eventual US-Iran agreement.
