Iran has rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal, opting instead for a permanent end to the war, as an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump approached its deadline. Tehran conveyed its response through Pakistan, a key mediator in the ongoing conflict.
Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, stated Iran’s position, asserting, “We won’t merely accept a ceasefire. We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again.”
President Trump’s ultimatum stipulated that Iran must open the Strait of Hormuz or face widespread attacks on its power plants and bridges. This deadline was set for Tuesday night, which translated to Wednesday AEST.
Renewing his threats, President Trump warned of a severe escalation if his demands were not met. He spoke of a “four-hour bombing blitz” designed to lead to the “complete demolition” of Iran’s critical infrastructure.
Elaborating on the potential targets, Trump stated, “Every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again.” He indicated such an operation could be executed quickly, adding, “It’ll happen over a period of four hours if we want it to.”
Despite the harsh warnings, Trump also expressed a desire to avoid such an outcome, noting, “We don’t want that to happen. We may even get involved with helping them rebuild their nation.”
Further emphasizing the gravity of the situation, President Trump told reporters at the White House that Iran “can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night,” referring to the impending Tuesday night deadline.
He reiterated his hope not to have to resort to such measures, but stressed the urgency for Tehran to make a deal by the set time to avert a broader bombing campaign.
President Trump’s core demands for Iran include the abandonment of its nuclear weapons program and the reopening of the vital Strait of Hormuz.