US-Iran Discuss Peace Plan, Iran Rejects Opening of Hormuz Ahead of Trump Ultimatum
The United States and Iran on Monday discussed the outlines of a plan to end the conflict, which has entered its fifth week, but Tehran resisted pressure to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz ahead of a new ultimatum from US President Donald Trump. Oil markets responded cautiously; Brent crude fell 36 cents to $108.67 a barrel at 1222 GMT as investors assessed the chances of a ceasefire.
Sources familiar with the proposal said the Pakistan-mediated plan proposed an immediate ceasefire, followed by negotiations toward a broader settlement within 15–20 days. Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir was in intensive contact overnight with US Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. However, a White House official said the proposal was “one of many ideas” and had not yet been approved by Trump, while noting that US Operation “Epic Fury” was still ongoing.
Iran effectively closed Hormuz in response to the US and Israeli attacks in February, making the waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supplies, a key bargaining chip. Senior Iranian officials have said their country will not reopen the strait as part of a temporary ceasefire, rejecting deadlines and pressure to reach a deal; the officials also said Washington is not ready for a permanent ceasefire.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, threatened further attacks on Iranian infrastructure if there is no deal and Hormuz is not reopened, with a deadline he set at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday. According to Reuters, Trump is also scheduled to speak about the ceasefire proposal at a press conference at 1:00 PM ET. From Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that it has formulated its position and demands through intermediaries; spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said details of the response will be announced "in due course" and that negotiations are not dependent on ultimatums.
On the ground, new airstrikes were reported in several locations, with Iranian state media reporting the death of Revolutionary Guards intelligence chief Majid Khademi, for which Israel claimed responsibility. An advisor to the UAE president, Anwar Gargash, believes any settlement must guarantee access through Hormuz. The market is now monitoring Washington's stance on Pakistan's proposal, Iran's official response, and developments regarding Trump's deadline and the current state of shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key risk to global energy supplies. (gn)
Source: Newsmaker.id
