Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with President Trump saying the ceasefire is “on life support” while Tehran has warned it will respond to “any aggression.”
Published May 12, 2026
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with Iran warning it is ready to respond to “any aggression” after US President Donald Trump said the fragile ceasefire was on “massive life support.”
President Trump on Monday rejected Iran’s latest response to his peace proposal, calling it “stupid.”
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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Berger Ghalibaf said Iranian forces were ready to retaliate if attacked and warned that the United States would be “surprised” by the response.
The heated exchange deepened uncertainty over efforts to secure a diplomatic breakthrough to end the war that has sparked a global energy crisis. Despite the impasse, President Trump continues to insist that a negotiated solution is still possible.
Here’s what you need to know:
in iran
Iranian authorities have announced that they have seized six properties believed to be connected to Ali Karimi, a former national soccer team captain who lives in exile and has been a vocal critic of Iran. The Foreign Ministry said Iran was seeking an end to the conflict and the release of frozen assets in response to the latest US peace proposal, insisting that it was only pursuing its “legitimate interests.”
war diplomacy
Negotiations stall: President Trump rejects Iran’s latest response to US peace offer, but Tehran accuses Washington of making “unreasonable” demands. He is scheduled to leave for a visit to China on Tuesday to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the war. Core demands remain unresolved: President Trump has said his primary goal is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and insisted that Iran had previously agreed to remove all enriched uranium before reversing its position. Iran wants “adequate guarantees” that war will not break out again, and officials say there is a deep sense of mistrust. ‘Escalation is likely’: Analyst Dania Safer said the stalled talks between the US and Iran showed both sides were ‘out of touch’, and warned that pressure tactics such as disrupting the Strait of Hormuz could deepen the conflict, damage regional economies and lead to a ‘frozen conflict’ with prolonged tensions. Hormuz Security Conference: Britain and France will host defense ministers from 40 countries on Tuesday to discuss plans to restore trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz. New US and UK sanctions: Hours after similar action by the UK, the US has sanctioned 12 individuals and entities over Iranian oil sales to China.
in the US
President Trump has dismissed Iran’s response to the latest US peace proposal as “stupid” and “rubbish” amid concerns that the conflict could further disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna said rising diesel prices related to the war and the Strait of Hormuz disruption are pushing up prices on transit and supermarkets across the country, despite President Trump’s insistence that the economic impact will eventually ease. President Trump has said he wants to suspend the federal gasoline tax to relieve pressure from rising fuel prices.
in israel
Israel’s head of civil aviation, Shmuel Zakai, warned that heavy US military activity at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport is disrupting commercial flights, delaying the return of foreign airlines and raising ticket prices ahead of the busy summer travel season.
in lebanon
As Israeli attacks continue despite the ceasefire, Lebanese officials have called on the US ambassador in Beirut to pressure Israel to halt its attacks on the country. Al Jazeera’s Obaida Hitt, reporting from Tire, said many residents who recently returned after weeks of displacement are refusing to leave again despite escalating Israeli attacks, amid growing frustration over repeated evacuations, family separations and long disruptions to children’s education.
