Iran rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal on Monday as President Donald Trump's deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approaches Tuesday evening. The Islamic Republic instead presented its own 10-point plan demanding a permanent end to the five-week conflict with the United States and Israel.
The original ceasefire proposal, drafted by Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey, was transmitted to both Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff late Sunday. The framework aimed to create breathing room for broader negotiations toward a lasting peace agreement.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed the temporary ceasefire as "illogical" and unacceptable, arguing that Iran cannot negotiate under threat. Tehran's counter-proposal includes demands for an end to regional conflicts, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction assistance.
We won't merely accept a ceasefire. We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won't be attacked again.
Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo — Associated Press
The rejection came as Israel escalated strikes against Iranian infrastructure, targeting the South Pars natural gas field shared with Qatar — the world's largest such facility. Israeli forces also hit a second petrochemical plant and three airports, bringing the Iranian death toll to 34 since Sunday night, including seven children.
Euronews frames the story as a diplomatic standoff with both sides entrenched, emphasizing the mediation efforts by regional powers and Trump's shifting deadlines. The European perspective highlights the instability of US leadership while maintaining balanced coverage of Iranian positions, reflecting EU concerns about regional escalation affecting global energy supplies.
CNA emphasizes the economic implications for global energy markets and trade routes, reflecting Singapore's position as a major shipping hub dependent on stable maritime corridors. The outlet frames the conflict through the lens of regional stability and international commerce, highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for Asian economies.
El País takes a more critical stance toward the escalation, emphasizing civilian casualties and infrastructure targeting while questioning the effectiveness of Trump's ultimatum strategy. The Spanish perspective reflects European skepticism about US military threats and concern over the humanitarian impact of the conflict on Iranian civilians.
NZZ provides minimal framing in the brief coverage, focusing on factual reporting of Iran's rejection and the ongoing military actions. The Swiss perspective maintains traditional neutrality while noting the diplomatic failure, reflecting Switzerland's role as a mediator in international conflicts and preference for negotiated solutions.
Indian Express frames the crisis through the lens of regional stability and economic implications, emphasizing Iran's detailed counter-proposals as evidence of serious diplomatic engagement rather than mere obstruction. The outlet's perspective reflects India's delicate balancing act between its strategic partnership with the US and its energy dependence on Middle Eastern stability, particularly given India's reliance on Persian Gulf shipping routes.
Saudi outlets emphasize the ongoing diplomatic process and framework negotiations, downplaying the confrontational rhetoric while highlighting the substantive nature of ceasefire discussions. This framing reflects Saudi Arabia's complex position as a US ally that nonetheless seeks regional stability and views prolonged US-Iran conflict as potentially destabilizing to Gulf security and oil markets.
Turkish media focuses on the diplomatic mechanisms and mediation efforts, positioning the crisis as an opportunity for regional powers to facilitate dialogue rather than escalation. This perspective aligns with Turkey's aspirations as a regional diplomatic broker and its interest in preventing further Middle Eastern conflicts that could affect its own security and economic interests.
Trump has repeatedly shifted his deadlines but indicated Monday he would not extend the Tuesday ultimatum further. The president previously threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if the strait remained closed, declaring Iran would be "living in hell" without a deal.
Open the f****** strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in hell — just watch.
Donald Trump, US President — social media post
Iranian officials have dismissed Trump's threats as the rhetoric of an unstable leader. Culture Minister Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri characterized the US president as "an unstable, delusional figure" whose statements Iranians do not take seriously due to their frequent changes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical flashpoint, with Iran maintaining it stays open to global traffic but closed to "Iran's enemies." The waterway carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies, making its closure a significant threat to world energy markets.
Washington has yet to formally respond to either the original ceasefire proposal or Iran's counter-offer. Trump described the 45-day framework as a "very significant step" but provided no indication of whether the US would accept Iran's alternative terms or proceed with threatened military action after Tuesday's deadline.