Iran Rejects Ceasefire Proposal Amid Looming U.S. Deadline

Iran has rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal, demanding a permanent end to hostilities, as the U.S. deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz approaches. Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran's diplomatic mission in Cairo, stated, :

"We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again."

This decision comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has set an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. EST Tuesday or face extensive airstrikes targeting infrastructure, including power plants and bridges. Trump has expressed no concern over potential war crimes allegations, emphasizing his commitment to the ultimatum.

In response to the escalating threats, Iranian officials have called for citizens to form human chains around power facilities to protect them from potential attacks. President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that 14 million Iranians have volunteered to defend the country.

The situation has led to increased regional tensions, with Israel conducting airstrikes on Iranian targets, including a petrochemical plant in the South Pars natural gas field, resulting in the deaths of two Revolutionary Guard commanders. Additionally, Iran has launched missiles at Israel and Saudi Arabia, further escalating the conflict.

International leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, have warned against attacks on civilian infrastructure, cautioning that such actions could constitute war crimes. Despite these warnings, diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis continue, though a resolution remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.