WASHINGTON/DUBAI:

President Donald Trump said on Monday that the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran was on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s latest counterproposal, sharply escalating fears that the Middle East conflict could reignite and further disrupt global energy supplies.

The remarks came as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher and deepened uncertainty over international shipping routes critical to the global economy. The conflict, now in its 10th week, has already killed thousands and triggered severe disruption in oil and gas flows through the Gulf.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump described Iran’s response to a recent US peace proposal as “garbage” and “simply unacceptable”. “The ceasefire is on massive life support,” Trump said. “I would call it the weakest right now.”

The US president accused Iranian negotiators of repeatedly changing positions during talks aimed at ending the war, saying agreements reached verbally were later altered in official documents.

“They agree with us and then they take it back,” Trump said, adding that Iran had earlier indicated willingness to allow the United States to remove its stockpile of enriched uranium before later omitting the commitment from its written proposal.

Trump reiterated that any final agreement would require Iran to abandon efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, describing it as the core principle of his strategy to end the conflict.

Iran defended its counterproposal, insisting its demands were “legitimate” and “reasonable”. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had demanded an end to the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets and guarantees against future attacks.

Iran also called for recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for war damage, while demanding sanctions relief and unrestricted oil exports. “Our demand is legitimate,” Baghaei said. “We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we demanded was Iran’s legitimate rights.”

Meanwhile, responding to Trump’s warning, Iran’s Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf said his country stood ready to “teach a lesson” to any aggressor. “Our armed forces are ready to respond and to teach a lesson for any aggression,” he wrote on X. “A bad strategy and bad decisions always lead to bad results—the world already understands this.”

The deadlock immediately rattled energy markets. Brent crude rose nearly 3% to around $104 a barrel as fears mounted that the strategically vital waterway could remain partially closed for an extended period.

Before the war erupted on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Since then, maritime traffic has slowed dramatically, with shipping trackers showing only limited tanker movement through the passage in recent days.

Oil producers have already reduced exports because of the near-closure of the route, while a Reuters survey showed OPEC production falling in April to its lowest level in more than two decades.

Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser warned the world was facing an unprecedented energy supply shock. He said even if the Strait reopened immediately, markets would take months to stabilise, while prolonged disruption could delay normalisation until 2027.

The crisis has also triggered warnings over global food security because fertiliser exports from Gulf ports remain heavily disrupted. United Nations Office for Project Services executive director Jorge Moreira da Silva warned that millions more people could face hunger if supply routes remained blocked.

Diplomatic uncertainty continues to cloud efforts to preserve the ceasefire announced in early April. Trump is expected to travel to Beijing this week, where Iran will reportedly be among the key issues discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Washington hopes Beijing will use its influence to pressure Tehran towards a settlement, though Iranian officials suggested China could instead challenge what they described as US “bullying actions” in the Gulf.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the conflict was not over, saying Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and nuclear facilities still needed to be dismantled. Speaking to CBS News, Netanyahu said diplomacy remained preferable but refused to rule out further military action.

Trump additionally revealed frustration over failed efforts to arm anti-government Kurdish groups inside Iran, claiming promised weapons deliveries never materialised. He nevertheless indicated he remained open to pursuing diplomacy with Tehran’s current leadership, saying: “I will deal with them until they make a deal.”