U.S. and Iran Engage in High-Stakes Ceasefire Talks as Hormuz Closure Persists
On Monday, the United States and Iran were actively evaluating a proposed framework to end their five-week-long military conflict, even as Tehran firmly rejected demands to quickly reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This development comes just ahead of a new ultimatum set by President Donald Trump, who has threatened severe consequences if a deal is not reached by Tuesday evening.
Trump's Ultimatum and Iranian Resistance
President Trump has explicitly warned that he will unleash "hell" upon Tehran unless an agreement is finalized by the end of Tuesday, which would permit the resumption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. This critical waterway facilitates approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supplies, making its closure a powerful bargaining tool for Iran. In February, Iran effectively shut down the strait in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli attacks, leveraging its economic impact to strengthen its negotiating position.
A senior Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, emphasized that Iran will not consider reopening the Strait as part of any temporary ceasefire arrangement. The official also stated that Tehran refuses to accept external deadlines or pressure to secure a deal, noting that Washington is not prepared to commit to a permanent ceasefire at this stage.
Pakistan-Brokered Ceasefire Proposal
The ceasefire plan, mediated by Pakistan, emerged from intense overnight diplomatic efforts. According to a source familiar with the proposals, the framework calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, followed by negotiations aimed at achieving a broader peace settlement within 15 to 20 days. Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was reportedly engaged "all night long" in discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to facilitate the talks.
Iran's foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that Tehran has formulated its positions and demands based on national interests, communicating them through intermediaries. Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that while details of Iran's response will be announced in due time, negotiations are "incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes." Baghaei further asserted that Iran's demands should not be seen as a sign of compromise but rather as a reflection of its confidence in defending its strategic positions, adding that earlier U.S. proposals, such as a 15-point plan, were rejected for being excessive.
White House Response and Ongoing Military Operations
A White House official informed Reuters that President Trump is scheduled to address the ceasefire proposal at a press conference later on Monday. The official described the plan as "one of many ideas" and noted that Trump has not yet approved it, emphasizing that "Operation Epic Fury"—the U.S. military campaign against Iran—continues unabated. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump threatened additional strikes on Iranian energy and transport infrastructure if Iran fails to meet the Tuesday deadline, specifying a precise cutoff time of 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time.
Regional and Global Implications
The conflict has had severe repercussions across the Middle East and beyond. Brent crude futures experienced a slight decline to $108.67 a barrel as investors assessed the potential for a ceasefire, though oil prices remain elevated due to the ongoing turmoil. Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, stressed that any settlement must guarantee unimpeded access through the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that a deal failing to address Iran's nuclear program and its missile and drone capabilities could lead to a "more dangerous, more volatile Middle East."
Fresh aerial strikes were reported across the region on Monday, more than five weeks after the U.S. and Israel initiated their offensive against Iran. The war has resulted in thousands of casualties and significant economic damage, driven by surging oil prices. Iranian state media announced the death of Revolutionary Guards' intelligence chief Majid Khademi, with Israel claiming responsibility for the attack. Additionally, a U.S.-Israeli strike targeted the data centre at Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, damaging infrastructure supporting Iran's national artificial intelligence platform and numerous other services, according to Fars News Agency.
Escalating Threats and Humanitarian Toll
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Monday, vowing to destroy Iran's infrastructure and hunt down its leaders "one by one." Israel also reported attacking Iran's South Pars petrochemical complex in Asaluyeh, where emergency teams managed to control a blaze without reported casualties. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed military strikes near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant but noted the facility itself remained undamaged.
The humanitarian cost of the conflict continues to mount. According to U.S.-based rights group HRANA, approximately 3,540 people have been killed in Iran, including at least 244 children. In Israel, four civilians died in a missile attack on Haifa, bringing the total Israeli civilian fatalities from Iranian and Hezbollah attacks to 23. Lebanon has suffered heavy casualties as well, with 1,461 killed, including at least 124 children, amid Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon and strikes on Beirut in its fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. The United States has reported 13 service members killed and hundreds wounded since the hostilities began.
Experts have raised concerns that potential U.S. attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, could constitute war crimes under the Geneva Conventions, which mandate distinguishing between civilian objects and military objectives. However, the International Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction as the involved countries are not members.
