Donald Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire on "Massive Life Support" Amid Rejected Proposal
US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which has been in place for a month, is on "massive life support." Speaking in the Oval Office, he described the current cessation of hostilities as "unbelievably weak," despite its general observance since April.
Trump's comments followed his outright rejection of a counter-offer from Tehran, which he labelled "totally unacceptable" and a "piece of garbage." Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, defended Tehran's proposals as "responsible" and "generous."
According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran's offer included an immediate end to the war on all fronts, a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, guarantees against further attacks on Iran, and demands for compensation for war damage. The proposal also emphasised Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas typically transits. Iran has maintained a blockade of the Strait, contributing to increased global oil prices.
Trump reiterated his accusation that Iran had reneged on an agreement regarding its enriched uranium supply, insisting that Iran "never have a nuclear weapon." A source close to Iran's negotiating team, however, stated that Iran's proposal contained no provision for removing enriched nuclear material.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately stated that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile must be "taken out" and its enrichment sites dismantled before the war could be considered over. The current conflict commenced on 28 February with extensive US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.
