Trump Says Iran Ceasefire 'On Life Support'... Concerns Grow Over Prolonged Energy Crisis

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 11th (local time) that the month-long ceasefire with Iran is in an "extraordinarily fragile" state and "on massive life support," raising concerns about the potential resumption of war.

Meeting with reporters that day, President Trump harshly criticized the peace agreement terms proposed by Iran, calling them "garbage." Iran has maintained its defensive stance, insisting its demands are justified, and the gap between the two sides shows little sign of narrowing.

Since the outbreak of war, international oil prices have surged sharply, and gasoline prices within the United States have continued to rise steeply. President Trump proposed temporarily suspending the federal gasoline tax to stabilize prices. However, this measure requires congressional approval, and the prevailing analysis suggests that tax cuts alone will be insufficient to offset the oil price surge triggered by the war.

International energy market experts warn that if supply disruptions from the Middle East are prolonged, the global energy crisis could become structurally entrenched. With disruptions in Iranian crude oil exports coinciding with security instability in the Strait of Hormuz, energy security warning lights have also turned on for major importing countries in Asia and Europe.

Countries highly dependent on crude oil imports, including South Korea, are busy preparing countermeasures such as releasing emergency reserves and diversifying import sources. Forecasts suggest that if ceasefire negotiations break down and armed conflict resumes, the shockwave to the global economy as a whole will be considerable.