Trump says Iran ceasefire proposal 'significant' but 'not good enough' as Hormuz Strait deadline nears

by · CNBC

Key Points

  • President Donald Trump is not backing an idea for a 45-day ceasefire that would take effect before his upcoming deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Trump told reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll that the proposal is "not good enough."
  • Tehran has explicitly rejected any temporary ceasefire, instead calling for a path to end the war permanently.

President Donald Trump on Monday said the latest proposal for a U.S. ceasefire with Iran is "not good enough" ahead of his fast-approaching deadline for Iran to either reopen the Strait of Hormuz or else face major attacks on its civilian infrastructure.

"They made a proposal, and it's a significant proposal. It's a significant step," Trump told reporters on the White House South Lawn during the traditional Easter Egg Roll.

"It's not good enough, but it's a very significant step," he said, adding, "They're negotiating now, and they've made a very significant step. We'll see what happens."

Later, during a press conference at the White House, Trump reiterated his threats to attack Iran's energy and transportation infrastructure Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET if the strait is not reopened.

"I can tell you that we have an active, willing participant on the other side," Trump told reporters when asked about a ceasefire agreement. "They would like to be able to make a deal. I can't say any more than that."

But if no deal is reached in time, Trump said, "We have a plan, because of the power of our military, where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o'clock tomorrow night, where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again."

While Trump's earlier remarks suggested Iran itself had submitted the proposal, Tehran has explicitly rejected any temporary ceasefire, instead calling for a path to end the war permanently.

Iran sent Pakistan — a mediator between Washington and Tehran — an official 10-point response to the U.S. that includes "a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and the lifting of sanctions," according to a translated report from Iranian state media outlet IRNA.

Iran has effectively closed the strait, a key oil-shipping corridor, since the war began on Feb. 28. The Islamic Republic's parliament last week passed a bill to formalize the collection of tolls on vessels transiting the waterway, though the route remains largely blocked.

Asked during Monday's press conference if he was willing to allow the war to end with Iran continuing to charge the tolls, Trump replied, "What about us charging tolls?"

"I'd rather do that than let them have them, right? Why shouldn't we? We're the winner. We won," he said. "The only thing they have is the psychology of, 'Oh, we're going to drop a couple of mines in the water.'"

Trump's latest comments came after a White House official told CNBC Monday morning that the president has not backed a 45-day ceasefire idea that is reportedly in discussion among the two warring nations and regional mediators as of Sunday night.

Asked about that proposal at the Easter event, Trump said, "The only one that's going to set a ceasefire is me."

The ceasefire is being floated as a last-ditch effort ahead of Trump's upcoming deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

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In a profanity-laced social media threat on Sunday, Trump warned the U.S. would begin strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants unless Tehran agreed to "Open the Fuckin' Strait" by Tuesday night.

The 45-day proposal could lead to an end to the five-week-old war, Axios first reported Sunday evening, citing sources with knowledge of the talks.

But a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told CNBC on Monday morning, "This is one of many ideas, and [Trump] has not signed off on it."

"Operation Epic Fury continues," the official said.

Trump's belligerent Truth Social threat saying that Tuesday "will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one" showed him tacitly extending a previously imposed 10-day pause on attacks, which was set to expire Monday.

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