TEHRAN: Iran has announced that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz for free passage of ships in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, Reuters reported, citing an unnamed Iranian official.
The official added that Tehran also rejects any deadlines for reaching an agreement. He said proposals from Pakistan for a ceasefire are under consideration, but the United States is not perceived as ready to accept a permanent truce.
Earlier, Reuters reported that Pakistan had drafted a ceasefire plan calling for an immediate halt to hostilities, followed by a comprehensive agreement that would allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to resume.
Axios reported that the parties are discussing a 45-day ceasefire. On April 5, the White House indicated there was a high probability of a deal by April 7. Previously, it had threatened strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure if Iran did not reopen the strait by April 6, later extending the deadline to the evening of April 7.
The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28, targeting major Iranian cities, including Tehran. The White House justified the attacks by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran.
In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted sites in Israel. US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were also struck. The attacks reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other key Iranian leaders.
Following the escalation, Iranian authorities decided to close the Strait of Hormuz to ships linked to the US, Israel, and countries that supported the aggression. During the conflict, several tankers were attacked for passing through the strait without Tehran’s authorization.
On March 25, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that Iran had authorized passage for friendly countries, including Russia, India, Iraq, China, and Pakistan.