President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the ceasefire in the Middle East war is on “life support.” He rejected the latest counteroffer from Iran, calling it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.” He insisted the United States would achieve “complete victory” over Iran. The angry reaction sent oil prices soaring and dashed hopes for a quick deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Ceasefire on Its Last Legs
Trump told reporters that the truce, which has largely halted Gulf fighting for over a month, is barely holding. “The ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says, ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a one percent chance of living,'” he said. His words offered little hope for a diplomatic breakthrough.
Iran’s Response
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led previous negotiations with Washington, said Iran is prepared “for any eventuality.” He wrote on social media, “Our armed forces are ready to respond and to teach a lesson for any aggression. A bad strategy and bad decisions always lead to bad results.”
Global Energy Markets Shaken
The tense exchange rattled global energy markets. The war and overlapping blockades in the Strait of Hormuz have already thrown oil and gas shipments into chaos. The CEO of Saudi oil giant Aramco warned investors that the energy supply shock is the largest the world has ever experienced. He said that even if the Strait opened today, it would take months for the market to rebalance. If reopening is delayed further, normalization could last into 2027.
Food Crisis Looming
Beyond energy, the world faces a shortage of fertilizer, much of which comes from Gulf ports. This threatens food supplies for tens of millions of people. A UN official told AFP there are just a few weeks left to avert a “massive humanitarian crisis.” He warned that 45 million more people could be pushed into hunger and starvation.
Iran’s Demands
Trump did not specify what offended him in Iran’s response. But Tehran’s foreign ministry said it had called for an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and an end to the war “across the region,” including Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon. More critically, Iran demanded the “release of assets belonging to the Iranian people, which have for years been unjustly trapped in foreign banks.” A spokesman said Iran did not ask for concessions, only its “legitimate rights.”
An end to international sanctions would reduce Washington’s leverage over Tehran as it tries to secure a lasting end to Iran’s nuclear enrichment. The US and Israel have long accused Iran of seeking atomic weapons, a charge Tehran denies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted the conflict will not end until Iran’s nuclear facilities are destroyed.
The Strait of Hormuz Standoff
With no path to resolution, concern has shifted to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is restricting maritime traffic and setting up a payment system to charge tolls for crossing ships. US officials say it is “unacceptable” for Tehran to control the international waterway. Trump told Fox News he is considering reviving a short-lived US operation to guide tankers through the strait, but has not made a final decision.
Saudi sources previously told AFP that Saudi Arabia had prohibited the US from using its airspace and bases for such an operation, fearing it would escalate the situation and fail.
Iran’s Warning
A spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s national security commission warned Washington on social media: “Our restraint is over as of today. Any attack on our vessels will trigger a strong and decisive Iranian response against American ships and bases.”
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