Donald Trump administration announces $15 million reward to disrupt Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps financing network

Donald Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran’s handling of negotiations and tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and is now more seriously considering a return to major military operations, according to a CNN report citing sources familiar with the matter.

The report said the situation between the US and Iran remains highly fragile, with no breakthrough in negotiations after Trump reportedly rejected Tehran’s latest response to an American proposal.

While the US president viewed Iran’s reply as “unacceptable,” Tehran insisted Washington must abandon what it called a “one-sided approach” and accept Iran’s “legitimate demands,” including an end to the conflict, lifting blockades, stopping maritime interference and releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Trump sharply criticised the Iranian response, describing it as a “weak” and “piece of garbage” proposal.

“I didn’t even finish reading it,” he said, adding that the US-Iran ceasefire was now on “life support.”

Despite the stalled diplomacy, Trump said he still sought “complete victory” in the conflict involving Iran.

Iran warns US against misreading ceasefire

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker said the country’s armed forces were prepared to “teach a lesson” to any aggressor after Trump warned that the ceasefire in the Middle East was hanging by a thread.

Tensions also escalated ahead of Trump’s scheduled visit to China on Tuesday — his first trip there in nearly nine years. Analysts expect Trump to raise concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the Iran conflict and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, given Beijing’s close ties with Tehran.

Ahead of the visit, senior Iranian adviser Ali Akbar Velayati warned Trump not to interpret the current pause in fighting as a strategic victory.

“Mr. Trump, never imagine that by taking advantage of Iran’s current calm, you will be able to enter Beijing triumphantly,” Velayati said, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Report claims Pakistan hosted Iranian aircraft

Separately, CBS News reported that Pakistan quietly allowed Iranian military aircraft to park at its airbases, possibly to shield them from potential American strikes.

Citing anonymous US officials, the report said several Iranian aircraft were flown to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan near Rawalpindi shortly after Trump announced a ceasefire in early April.

Pakistan has played an active diplomatic role in backchannel talks between Washington and Tehran in recent months.

Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers discuss mediation

Diplomatic activity also continued between regional powers on Monday as Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

According to officials, the two ministers discussed ongoing mediation efforts and the latest developments in diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States, while exchanging views on regional security issues.