The Iran war has entered its sixth week. President Trump escalated pressures on Iran over the past weekend, reminding Iran of the deadline set by the United States. The sense of urgency has prompted mediators to take active actions, hoping to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible. Currently, both the US and Iran are considering a ceasefire plan.
President Trump demanded Iran to reach an agreement by Tuesday night to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; otherwise, Iran would face devastating consequences, risking losing all its power plants and other facilities nationwide.
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most crucial energy chokepoint, transporting approximately one-fifth of the global oil and natural gas. Since the outbreak of the war, Iran has effectively blocked this vital waterway, leading to a surge in global energy prices. The Iranian regime has always regarded control of this key water passage as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the US.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported on Monday that Iran has responded to Pakistan’s proposal to end the war, rejecting a ceasefire and emphasizing the need for a permanent end to the conflict. The report mentioned that Iran’s response includes ten terms, such as ending the conflict in the region, establishing a safe passage agreement for the Strait of Hormuz, lifting sanctions, and initiating reconstruction.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier that Iran would not consider reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement, nor would it accept any deadlines or pressures set by the US to reach an agreement. The official stated that the US is not yet ready to achieve a permanent ceasefire.
An informed source revealed on Monday that both Iran and the US have received a framework aimed at ending hostilities. This framework, mediated by Pakistan, was formed after tense communications during the night and includes an immediate ceasefire, followed by broader peace agreement negotiations, with plans to conclude negotiations within 15 to 20 days. This framework, known as the “Islamabad Accord,” will involve a final meeting in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
According to Reuters, sources indicated that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir spent the entire night in contact with US Vice President Pence, US envoy Wittkof, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
President Trump will hold a press conference at 1 pm Eastern Time on Monday. A White House official told Reuters that the President will address the ceasefire proposal during the conference.
“This is just one of many options and has not been approved by President Trump. ‘Operation Epic Fury’ continues,” the official stated.
Anwar Gargash, adviser to the President of the UAE, stated that any resolution must ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that if an agreement fails to curb Iran’s nuclear program, missiles, and drones, it will sow the seeds for “a more dangerous and tumultuous Middle East.”
The UAE has been the most targeted Gulf country by Iranian missile and drone attacks since the end of February. According to WAM, the official news agency of the UAE, an Iranian drone attacked a telecommunications building in Fujairah on Monday, causing damage.
The UAE Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that it intercepted 14 Iranian missiles and 19 drones in the past 24 hours. The statement said, “These attacks resulted in injuries to 4 individuals, whose conditions vary.” It also pointed out that retaliatory strikes by Iran have resulted in 221 injuries and 13 deaths in the UAE since the start of the war.
The statement mentioned that, so far, the UAE’s air defense system has intercepted 519 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles, and 2210 drones launched by Iran.
The Jordanian military issued a statement on Monday, reporting that within the past 24 hours, Iran used missiles and drones to attack Jordan, with one missile and one drone “not intercepted and falling within Jordan’s territory.”
The statement noted that two individuals sustained medium injuries.