President Donald Trump said Monday that the U.S. ceasefire with Iran is on “massive life support” after rejecting Tehran’s latest response to a U.S. peace proposal.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump described the ceasefire as “unbelievably weak” and said Iran’s counterproposal did not meet Washington’s demands.
“For the time being, the ceasefire remains in place?” a reporter asked.
“It’s unbelievably weak. I would call it the weakest right now,” Trump said. “After reading that piece of garbage they sent us. I didn’t even finish reading it.”
Trump added, “I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support.”
The remarks came after Trump rejected Tehran’s response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war. Reuters reported that the rejection raised concerns that the 10-week-old conflict could continue and keep shipping through the Strait of Hormuz under pressure.
Trump said Iran’s response was unacceptable because it failed to satisfy the central U.S. demand: that Iran not obtain a nuclear weapon.
“It was just unacceptable,” Trump said.
“It’s a very simple plan,” he added. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also accused Iran’s leaders of misjudging U.S. resolve.
“How stupid! Are they stupid people?” Trump said. “They think that, ‘Well, I’ll get tired of this or I’ll get bored, or I’ll have some pressure.’ But there’s no pressure. There’s no pressure at all. We’re going to have a complete victory.”
Iran’s response focused on ending the war on multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where U.S. ally Israel is fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, Reuters reported. Tehran also demanded compensation for war damage, emphasized its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and called on the United States to end its naval blockade, guarantee no further attacks, lift sanctions and remove a ban on Iranian oil sales.
Trump also claimed Iran is willing to give the United States “the nuclear dust,” referring to Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. He said only China and the United States have the capability to retrieve it.
The president described Iran’s leadership as divided between officials seeking a deal and hard-liners who want to keep fighting.
“They have the moderates, they’re dying to make a deal, and then you have the lunatics,” Trump said. “The lunatics want to fight till the end.”
Trump said he was preparing for a briefing with military leaders on Iran shortly after the Oval Office exchange.
“You’ll speak not too long, because I am being waited on by a large group of generals,” Trump said. “And that’s also important. Having to do with the absolutely lovely country of Iran.”
Trump also used personal language while discussing his position on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“I’m willing to, it’s a terrible expression, take a bullet,” Trump said. “It’s a terrible expression, especially when it’s used by me. But I am. I’m willing to take a bullet for the country.”
The remarks leave the ceasefire formally in place but under deep strain, with Trump publicly rejecting Iran’s response and saying Washington will continue pressing for what he called “a complete victory.”
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