DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - - Iran and the United States faced another deadlock on Monday regarding ways to halt their war, as the ceasefire showed signs of crumbling. Recent exchanges of fire between the two sides, attacks on ships and Gulf nations, plus renewed clashes between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah militants, have heightened tensions.

This instability risks plunging the Middle East into full-scale war again and extending the global energy crunch triggered by the fighting. Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remain active. President Donald Trump plans to press Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit this week to lean on Iran for compromises and resolve the uncertainty, given China's status as the top purchaser of Iran's sanctioned oil.

Reaching an agreement will be challenging. Iran demands an end to the US blockade and the lifting of sanctions prior to talks on its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. The US and Israel seek its removal, fearing it could fuel a nuclear weapon if Iran decides to pursue one. Tehran maintains its nuclear efforts are for peaceful purposes, despite enriching uranium to levels exceeding civilian reactor needs.

Trump declared on Sunday that Iran's reply to his most recent offer was "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" Lifting the blockade without addressing the nuclear issue would forfeit key US leverage.

Meanwhile, the dispute over the strait - vital for global oil and gas shipments - has driven fuel costs to new highs and unsettled financial markets worldwide.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initiated the war alongside Trump on February 28, stressed on CBS's "60 Minutes" - in an interview broadcast Sunday - that the war "is not over." He emphasized extracting Iran's nuclear material as a primary objective, adding that if diplomacy fails, Israel and the US concur on resuming military action.

Netanyahu further noted that the current Iranian regime's "days are numbered - but it could take many days."

The US and Israel have eliminated numerous top Iranian figures, including the supreme leader in the war's early stages, severely damaging Iran's economy. Yet the theocratic regime clings to authority.

Trump swiftly dismissed Iran's latest proposal, delivered Sunday through Pakistan. It sought US war reparations, complete Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and return of frozen overseas assets, according to Iranian state TV.

Iran urged an instant war termination, encompassing the Israel-Hezbollah skirmishes, which persist despite a nominal ceasefire. These include Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, territorial occupations, and lethal Hezbollah assaults, such as one that claimed another Israeli soldier's life, per the Israeli military on Monday.

"We sought no special favors - only Iran's rightful entitlements," stated Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Monday. "The US persists with its biased positions and unjust demands."

Nevertheless, Iran proposed diluting portions of its enriched uranium and shipping the balance to a neutral nation, alongside 30 days of talks to settle terms, said two regional diplomats familiar with the discussions to The Associated Press. They requested anonymity due to the delicate nature of the talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has volunteered to accept Iran's uranium.

Russia operates Iran's only nuclear facility at Bushehr and previously handled some uranium under the 2015 deal from which the US withdrew during Trump's initial term.

Questioned about Putin's remarks on Monday, Baghaei replied: "Right now, our priority is stopping the war."

At the same time, Iran put to death another individual accused of espionage for the CIA and Israel's Mossad. State media IRNA named him Erfan Shakourzadeh, alleging he managed satellite links and passed secrets to those agencies.

Iran has ramped up executions amid January's nationwide unrest. Rights groups criticize the opaque trials that limit defendants' defenses. Iran's top judge has vowed to accelerate hangings against domestic and foreign foes.