Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on ‘Life Support,’ Weighs Military Options
President Donald Trump said Monday that the ceasefire with Iran is “on life support” after rejecting Tehran’s response to a U.S. peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
On Sunday, Iran sent its response to the latest U.S. peace proposal through Pakistani mediators. Trump swiftly dismissed it on social media as “totally unacceptable.”
Trump told reporters on Monday that the ceasefire was “the weakest right now after reading that piece of garbage they sent us.”
“I didn’t even finish reading it,” he said. “It’s on life support.”
Iran’s latest proposal reportedly called for an end to fighting across the region, including in Lebanon, where Israel continues to battle Hezbollah militants backed by Tehran.
Tehran also demanded compensation for war damage, an end to U.S. sanctions and naval blockades, guarantees against future attacks and recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said Iran had initially agreed to transfer its stockpile of enriched uranium to the U.S. but later reversed its position. Trump claimed Tehran’s latest response omitted any reference to the uranium issue.
He insisted that Iran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”
Russia Offers Role in Handling Enriched Uranium
According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran offered to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile and transfer the remainder to a third country, on the condition that the material be returned if negotiations break down.
Tehran also indicated a willingness to suspend uranium enrichment, but for a period considerably shorter than the 20-year moratorium Washington has sought. Iran refused outright to dismantle its nuclear facilities.
Russia had reportedly positioned itself as a willing recipient of the uranium stockpile.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that President Vladimir Putin’s offer to accept the uranium “still stands, but has not been acted upon.”
Military Action
Officials cited by Axios said Trump is increasingly leaning toward some form of military action to pressure Iran into making concessions on its nuclear program.
Among the options under consideration are resuming “Project Freedom,” a U.S. naval operation aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and restarting bombing campaigns against Iranian targets that had not yet been struck.
According to Axios, Israeli officials have also urged Trump to authorize a Special Forces operation to secure Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, although U.S. officials said the president remains hesitant because of the risks involved.
Officials cited by Axios do not expect military action against Iran before Trump completes an upcoming trip to China. The president is expected to depart for China Wednesday, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and discuss the Iran war, among other issues.
Iran Defends Position
Meanwhile, Iranian officials defended Tehran’s position Monday. “Iran has submitted reasonable and logical demands for the benefit of the entire region, not just Iran,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.
He said Iran’s main goal is to end the war and to reject control by any outside power or interference in the region.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said: “We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat. Rather, the goal is to uphold the rights of the Iranian nation and to defend national interests with resolute strength.”
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X that Iran’s armed forces are ready to respond to any U.S. aggression. “We are prepared for all options; they will be surprised,” he said.
