Iran War ‘Likely’ to Restart as Trump Dismisses Diplomatic Deal, Teheran Threatens Escalation

The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran is on the brink of collapse as senior Iranian officials openly predict a renewed war, following President Donald Trump’s dismissal of ongoing diplomatic efforts. Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a high-ranking officer in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), bluntly stated that a “renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely.” This stark warning comes in response to Trump’s recent comments suggesting the US might be “better off not making a deal at all” to resolve the standoff.

Trump’s remarks, delivered during an event in West Palm Beach, Florida, reveal a striking impatience with diplomacy. “We can’t let this thing go on,” he said, referring to the conflict that began in late February and has already destabilized the region and global oil markets. The temporary ceasefire agreed on April 8 now looks increasingly fragile as Trump signals a readiness to abandon negotiations.

Iranian commanders are not mincing words either. Ali Rafiei Atani, an IRGC commander in Qazvin province, taunted the US to test its military strength on the ground, claiming that America’s power has already been “shattered” at sea and in the air. This rhetoric underscores Tehran’s willingness to escalate if provoked.

On the US side, Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch Trump ally and vocal Iran hawk, is urging the president to “finish the job” with more military strikes if Iran continues its “provocations.” Graham told the Financial Times that the US has the capability to increase naval operations through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint that handles 20% of the world’s oil shipping—and called for “whatever combination of events is necessary to start the flow,” effectively advocating for breaking Iran’s blockade by force.

The economic fallout from this conflict is already severe. The “soft closure” of the Strait has sent oil prices soaring above $100 per barrel, threatening global markets. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control recently warned shipping companies they risk sanctions if they pay Iranian authorities for passage fees, while the State Department greenlit $8.6 billion in arms sales to US allies in the region, including Israel, Qatar, and Kuwait. These sales, approved under emergency waivers bypassing Congress, include advanced missile defense systems and precision-guided weapons, signaling Washington’s preparation for a prolonged confrontation.

On the diplomatic front, the Nobel Peace Prize committee has called on Iran to release Narges Mohammadi, a laureate and women’s rights activist whose health has deteriorated severely in custody. Her plight highlights the human cost amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

This dangerous mix of Trump’s rejection of diplomacy, hawkish pressure in Washington, and Iran’s defiant military posture risks plunging the region back into full-scale war. The consequences would reverberate worldwide—from skyrocketing oil prices to destabilized global security—underscoring the urgent need for accountability and responsible leadership amid this brewing crisis.