Day 74: Tehran Braces for 'Any Act of Aggression' as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Tensions between the United States and Iran continued to escalate on Monday (May 11) as Tehran warned it is prepared to respond to 'any act of aggression,' while US President Donald Trump declared that a fragile ceasefire was 'on the verge of collapse.' Trump dismissed Iran's latest response to a US peace proposal, calling it 'stupid.'

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iranian forces are ready to retaliate if attacked, warning that the US would be 'surprised' by Tehran's response. These sharp exchanges deepened uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts to end the war, which has already triggered a global energy crisis. Despite the impasse, Trump maintained that a negotiated solution remains feasible.

In Iran

The Iranian government announced the confiscation of six properties allegedly linked to former national football team captain Ali Karimi, an exiled vocal critic of the regime. Iran's Foreign Ministry said the country called for an end to the conflict and the unfreezing of assets in its latest response to the US peace proposal, emphasizing it only seeks its 'legitimate rights.'

War Diplomacy

Stalled talks: Trump rejected Iran's latest response to the US peace proposal, while Tehran accused Washington of making 'unreasonable' demands. Trump is expected to visit China on Tuesday to meet with President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing war.

Core demands unresolved: Trump said his main goal is to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons, claiming Tehran had earlier agreed to eliminate all enriched uranium before changing its stance. Iran demands 'sufficient guarantees' that the war will not restart, with officials pointing to deep mistrust.

'High potential for escalation': Analyst Dania Thafer said the stalemate in US-Iran talks shows both sides are 'talking past each other,' warning that pressure tactics such as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could deepen the conflict, harm regional economies, and prolong tensions into a 'frozen conflict.'

Hormuz security meeting: The United Kingdom and France will host a defense ministerial meeting of 40 countries on Tuesday to discuss plans to restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

New US and UK sanctions: The US imposed sanctions on 12 individuals and entities involved in Iran's oil sales to China, hours after Britain announced similar measures.

In the US

Trump dismissed Tehran's response to the latest US peace proposal, calling it 'stupid' and 'garbage,' amid fears the conflict could further disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Al Jazeera correspondent Mike Hanna reported that rising diesel costs due to the war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving up transport and supermarket prices across the US, despite Trump's assertion that the economic impact would eventually ease. Trump said he wants a temporary federal gas tax holiday to relieve pressure from rising fuel prices.

In Israel

Israel's Civil Aviation Director Shmuel Zakay warned that heavy US military activity at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is disrupting civilian flights, delaying the return of foreign airlines, and driving up ticket prices ahead of the busy summer travel season.

In Lebanon

Lebanese officials called on the US ambassador in Beirut to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on the country, as Israeli airstrikes continue despite the ceasefire. Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto in Tyre reported that many residents who had just returned after weeks of evacuation refused to leave again despite increasing Israeli attacks, with growing frustration over repeated evacuations, family separations, and prolonged disruption of children's education.