Iran rejects temporary ceasefire proposal as Trump's deadline looms

WASHINGTON - The U.S. and Iran appear far apart in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war, just over 24 hours from President Donald Trump’s deadline for the government in Tehran to either agree to a deal or face a bombardment of attacks on its country’s infrastructure.

Trump vowed to bomb Iran if no deal that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is reached by Tuesday night. Without clarifying which proposal he was referring to, Trump described a latest offer from Iran as “a significant proposal,” but added that “it’s not good enough.”

Iran, for its part, has been demanding a permanent end to the war despite Trump’s latest ultimatum. Iran publicly has rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire that have been shared through intermediaries.

One of those proposals includes a 45-day ceasefire that was recently delivered by Pakistan to both U.S. and Iranian officials, according to two regional officials and a senior White House official.

The White House official said the 45-day ceasefire proposal is “one of many things being discussed” in an exchange of views between the U.S. and Iran through mediators. Trump has not signed off on the proposal, the White House official said.

Iranian state media IRNA reported Monday that Tehran has sent a 10-point proposal to the U.S. through Pakistan that emphasizes the need for a permanent end to the war. IRNA reported that Iran would reject a temporary ceasefire given that during previous rounds of negotiations with the U.S., the Trump administration launched military strikes while talks were ongoing.

The U.S. and Iran have acknowledged exchanging messages through intermediaries for the last two weeks including Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey. As part of those discussions, Vice President JD Vance has been in touch with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to regional officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he has been in touch directly with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump suggested Monday that any deal to end the war would have to include the free traffic of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which he said is “a very big priority.”

The price of U.S. crude oil jumped from $112 to about $114 per barrel when Trump began speaking, although it eased a bit after the event.

More than 3,400 people have been killed across the Middle East. In Iran, Israeli and U.S. strikes have killed more than 1,900 people, according to the country’s deputy health minister. At least 1,400 people have been killed in Lebanon, and 23 have died in Israel. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, and two more died of noncombat causes. (Source: NBC News)