Trump: Iran ceasefire on ‘massive life support’

US President Donald Trump delivered a blistering assessment of the fragile truce with Iran on Monday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that the ceasefire is on “massive life support.” Referring to Iran’s response — sent via Pakistani mediators on Sunday — Trump said: “I would call it the weakest right now, after reading that piece of garbage.” He added: “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.’”

Nuclear claims and Iranian backtracking

Trump claimed that Iran’s proposal initially included broad assurances on nuclear activity but that Tehran later withdrew them. “They guarantee no nuclear weapons for a very long period of time… but they just can’t get there. They agree with us, and then they take it back,” he said. Asked if diplomacy remains possible, Trump answered: “I think it’s very possible.” He also alleged that Iranian officials had told the US about “nuclear dust” from sites struck in June 2025, claiming the damage was so severe that only the US and China could extract the materials.

Criticism of Kurdish groups

Trump also criticised unnamed Kurdish groups for allegedly keeping weapons intended for Iranian protesters. “We thought the Kurds were going to give us weapons, but the Kurds disappointed us,” he said, adding: “The Kurds take, take, take.” The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistani-mediated ceasefire took effect April 8 but failed to produce a lasting deal. For Türkiye, which has longstanding ties with Kurdish groups across the border, Trump’s comments carry sensitive implications for Ankara’s own national security concerns.