• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal, calls ceasefire "on life support."
  2. Tehran demands compensation, end to blockade, warns of aggression.
  3. Strait of Hormuz closure impacts oil prices, heightens conflict.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that a ceasefire with Iran was "on life support" after he rejected Tehran's response to a US peace proposal, fuelling concerns of a resumption of hostilities in the 10-week-old conflict that has killed thousands and halted vital energy flows. Days after Washington floated a proposal aimed at reopening negotiations, Iran on Sunday released a response focused on ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, where US ally Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. The response had been swiftly rejected by Trump and highlights how the two sides are still far apart on a number of issues.

Asked where the ceasefire stands, Trump told reporters on Monday: "I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us. I didn't even finish reading it," he said. In its response, Tehran also demanded compensation for war damage, emphasised its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and called on the US to end its naval blockade, guarantee no further attacks, lift sanctions and remove a ban on Iranian oil sales.

The US had proposed an end to fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran defended its stance on Monday. "Our demand is legitimate: demanding an end to the war, lifting the (US) blockade and piracy, and releasing Iranian assets that have been unjustly frozen in banks due to US pressure," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

ALSO READ: Iran Sets Up New Strait Of Hormuz Authority To Monitor Ships, Collect Tolls As US Tensions Escalate

Iran speaker says army ready to ‘teach a lesson'

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said that Iran's armed forces are ready to respond decisively to any "act of aggression". Trump has repeatedly threatened to end the ceasefire between the two countries since it took effect on April 7. But he has also sought to downplay tensions following a series of naval clashes last week. Brent crude oil futures traded 2.7 per cent higher at around USD 104 a barrel, as the deadlock left the Strait of Hormuz largely closed. Before the war began on February 28, the narrow waterway carried one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, and has since become a central pressure point in the conflict.

ALSO READ: Iran FM Abbas Araghchi Likely To Visit New Delhi For Crucial BRICS Meeting: Reports

Can China persuade Trump to back off the Iran war?

The next diplomatic or military steps remain unclear. Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, where Iran is set to be among the topics discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump has been leaning on China to use its influence to push Tehran toward a deal with Washington. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei suggested China could instead use the visit to push back against U.S. objectives in the Gulf.

(With inputs from Reuters)


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