Trump Rejects Iran Ceasefire Offer, Calls Truce on Life Support

President Donald Trump departed Tuesday for a state visit to China, even as the fragile ceasefire with Iran showed renewed signs of strain. The trip, delayed by weeks of U.S. military action against Iranian targets, now unfolds against a backdrop of stalled diplomacy and rising global energy costs.

Trump described the ceasefire as being on "massive life support" after rejecting Iran's latest response to a U.S. peace proposal. He called the Iranian document "garbage" and said he would not waste time reading it in full. Iranian demands included an end to the U.S. naval blockade, compensation for war damage, continued control over the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions relief before any nuclear talks. Trump noted that previous deals with Tehran had collapsed when Iranian officials changed their positions, a pattern he compared to unreliable business partners.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran was prepared for any aggression and that the United States would be surprised by its response. Iranian forces have continued limited attacks in the region, while the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to much commercial traffic. The disruptions have cut OPEC output to its lowest level in more than two decades, according to a Reuters survey.

Oil prices climbed in response. Brent crude rose nearly 2 percent to $106.21 a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate gained 2.4 percent to $100.38. Analysts warned that further delays in a settlement could push prices higher still, with potential corrections only if a genuine breakthrough occurs. Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser said any prolonged blockage could keep markets unstable into 2027.

China's role adds another layer of complication. Beijing maintains close trade ties with Iran and has directed its firms to ignore U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil under a 2021 blocking statute. U.S. officials said Trump has already raised the issue of Chinese economic and material support for both Iran and Russia in multiple calls with President Xi Jinping. Sanctions on dual-use goods and components have been tightened in recent days, and those measures are expected to feature in the Beijing meetings.

The summit agenda includes elaborate ceremonies alongside trade discussions. Both sides appear to see value in preserving a working relationship despite the frictions. China has watched the U.S. campaign deplete high-end munitions stockpiles and leave core objectives, such as reopening the strait, unresolved. From Beijing's perspective, the episode fits a familiar pattern of American overcommitment in the Middle East without a clear follow-through strategy.

Inside Iran, economic pressures continue to mount. Inflation has driven up prices for basic goods, the rial has lost value, and internet restrictions have hampered commerce. Regime officials have called for national cohesion while relying more heavily on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to maintain order. These domestic strains coincide with military setbacks and diplomatic isolation.

Trump has said he has plans to adapt as conditions change and that the United States seeks complete victory rather than renewed entanglement. The China visit proceeds regardless, reflecting the president's view that other presidential duties cannot wait on a single conflict. How the two leaders balance trade interests against security concerns will shape the coming months.