UNIPA NEWS (Washington / United States), 12 May 2026: US President Donald Trump warned on Monday that the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East conflict is now “on life support” after rejecting Iran’s latest counterproposal aimed at advancing peace negotiations.
The sharp exchange between Washington and Tehran has heightened fears of renewed regional instability, triggering fresh concerns in global energy markets and sending oil prices sharply higher.
Speaking to reporters, President Trump described Iran’s response to the US proposal as “totally unacceptable” and insisted that the United States would ultimately secure a “complete victory” over Tehran.
“The ceasefire is on massive life support,” Trump said, adding that the truce that has largely reduced fighting in the Gulf region over the past month was now under serious threat.
In response, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iran’s armed forces were fully prepared to respond to any form of aggression.
“Our armed forces are ready to respond and teach a lesson for any aggression,” he wrote on social media, signaling Tehran’s increasingly firm position amid the deteriorating diplomatic climate.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran’s proposal called for an end to the US naval blockade and demanded the release of Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks for years. Iranian officials described the demand as part of the country’s “legitimate rights.”
The renewed tensions have intensified uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil and gas transportation. Continued disruptions in the area have already affected global energy supply chains.
Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned investors that the energy supply shock resulting from the conflict is among the largest the world has ever experienced. He cautioned that even if shipping routes reopen immediately, global markets could take months to stabilize.
International humanitarian organizations have also expressed growing concern over possible shortages of food and fertilizer supplies linked to the Gulf crisis. United Nations officials warned that prolonged instability could deepen global hunger and humanitarian suffering.
Meanwhile, the long-standing dispute over Iran’s nuclear program remains at the center of the conflict. The United States and its allies continue to accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons development — allegations Iran has repeatedly denied.
Political analysts believe the latest breakdown in negotiations has significantly weakened hopes for a rapid diplomatic solution, raising fears that the Middle East could face a new phase of prolonged confrontation and economic uncertainty.
