United States President Donald Trump has warned that an Iranian proposal to end the war will not be enough to prevent US military action unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking on Monday, Trump said the deadline he set for Iran to reach an agreement by Tuesday is “final.” He added that while Iran’s proposal was a “significant step,” it fell short of what Washington expects and would not stop potential US action.
“It’s a significant proposal. It’s a significant step. It’s not good enough,” Trump told reporters at the White House, noting that intermediaries are continuing negotiations.The US president had earlier warned that if Iran fails to allow free passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz by the deadline, he could order strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.
The strategic waterway is critical to global energy supplies, with roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil passing through it during peacetime, making the situation highly sensitive for the global economy.
Meanwhile, a 45-day ceasefire proposal was reportedly put forward by Pakistan following diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, which began on February 28 after US and Israeli attacks on Iran. According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Tehran rejected the temporary truce and instead proposed a broader plan calling for a permanent end to hostilities.
The proposal includes provisions such as regional de-escalation, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and post-war reconstruction.Iranian officials emphasised that they would not accept a temporary ceasefire.
Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Cairo, said Tehran seeks a complete end to the war along with guarantees against future attacks.The White House confirmed that the ceasefire proposal is under review but said Trump has not approved it, adding that military operations are ongoing.
Trump also indicated he is unlikely to extend the deadline, stating that Iran has already had sufficient time to reach a deal. He reiterated previous warnings of severe consequences if Tehran fails to comply.
In response, Iran’s military dismissed Trump’s remarks as “delusional” and described his statements as arrogant and baseless threats. Separately, Israel carried out strikes on a key petrochemical facility linked to the South Pars gas field, a major component of Iran’s energy sector.
Iranian authorities said a fire caused by the attack had been brought under control and that the extent of the damage is still being assessed.The escalating tensions have already impacted global markets, with concerns over Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz contributing to rising oil prices and increased economic uncertainty worldwide.