Iran, US review ceasefire plan; Tehran says won't open Hormuz for temporary truce

The US and Iran are exploring a two-step ceasefire framework, but Tehran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Talks continue amid ongoing regional strikes and President Donald Trump's looming deadline. The proposal, formulated by Pakistan, is being tentatively called as the Islamabad Accord.

In Short

• Pakistan's Army chief in talks with US and Iran officials
• Trump threatens strikes if Iran does not reopen Strait by Tuesday
• Iran refuses to reopen Strait of Hormuz in temporary truce

The United States and Iran are reviewing a proposed framework aimed at ending hostilities in the Middle East, although Tehran has made it clear it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary truce.

The plan envisions a two-step process with an immediate ceasefire followed by a broader, comprehensive agreement. A source familiar with the proposals told news agency Reuters that Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, has been in continuous contact "all night long" with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to discuss the initiative, which has tentatively been dubbed as the Islamabad Accord.

"Iran won't reopen the Strait as part of a temporary ceasefire. Tehran would not accept pressures or deadlines to make a decision," a senior official said.

Earlier, Axios reported that the US, Iranian, and regional mediators were considering a potential 45-day ceasefire as part of the two-phase deal, which could eventually pave the way for a permanent end to the conflict in the Middle East.

The development came hours after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian energy and transport infrastructure if Tehran did not agree to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday. Trump's warning, posted on his Truth Social platform, was filled with strong language signalling his frustration with the stalled negotiations.

Trump has given a final deadline to Tehran to reopen the Hormuz waterway. Originally set to expire Monday evening, the timeline was extended by 20 hours, with a new cutoff set for Tuesday, 8 pm ET. Earlier, Trump said negotiations were ongoing and suggested a deal was still within reach, but paired that with a stark warning of "raining hell down" on Iran if the talks collapse.

Meanwhile, fresh aerial strikes continued across the region on Monday, more than five weeks after the United States and Israel launched sustained attacks on Iran on February 28. The conflict has already resulted in thousands of casualties and sent global oil prices surging.

In retaliation, Iran effectively closed the Hormuz waterway, a critical route for roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and natural gas, and carried out strikes on Israeli and US military positions, as well as energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf.

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