Amid rising tensions with Iran, former President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire meant to stabilize relations is precariously close to collapsing. He is contemplating the resumption of U.S. Navy military escorts for ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz to counter what he describes as an Iranian blockade of the critical maritime channel.

Trump has been vocally dismissive of Iran’s recent peace proposals, branding them as “stupid,” and insists that he faces no pressure to finalize a deal domestically. Reflecting on the ceasefire, which has been in place since April 7, Trump likened it to a patient in critical condition, stating, “I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says: ‘Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living.’”

The U.S. had previously outlined a set of conditions aimed at de-escalating tensions, primarily focused on curtailing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, Iran’s counter-proposals, delivered over the weekend, were swiftly rejected by Trump. This dismissal follows his decision to halt Project Freedom, a plan intended to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, shortly after it began last week. This initiative was paused to allow Iran time to react to the peace proposals, but also faced opposition from Saudi Arabia, which objected to using its airspace or bases for what it viewed as a provocative move.

Trump’s latest remarks coincide with another spike in oil prices, triggered by Iran’s insistence that no further negotiations regarding the blockade will occur unless its conditions are met. Maj Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated Iran’s stance: “As long as the war on all fronts is not over, sanctions are not lifted, blocked funds are not released, war damages are not compensated and Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz not recognised, there will be no other negotiations.”