TEHRAN — Iran has flatly rejected a proposal to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a “temporary ceasefire,” with a senior Iranian official telling Reuters on Monday that Washington lacks the genuine readiness for a permanent end to hostilities.
The high-ranking official confirmed that while Tehran is currently reviewing a peace proposal submitted by Pakistan—tentatively dubbed the “Islamabad Accord”—the Islamic Republic will not be bullied by external pressure or artificial deadlines. The proposal reportedly outlines a two-tier approach starting with an immediate pause in fighting, followed by a comprehensive agreement within 20 days.
The 48-Hour Ultimatum
The diplomatic standoff comes as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a final ultimatum, setting a deadline of Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. ET for Iran to fully reopen the world’s most vital oil transit route. In a series of blunt warnings, Trump cautioned that failure to meet the deadline would result in “hell,” specifically threatening to target Iran’s power plants and bridges.
Tehran’s central military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, countered on Monday by warning of “much more devastating” retaliation against Gulf energy and water facilities if Iranian civilian infrastructure is struck. “We do not seek escalation, but we are prepared for a perpetual war if the Americans choose that path,” the Iranian official added.
Escalating Casualties and Economic Toll
As of Monday, April 6, 2026, the five-week-old conflict continues to claim high-profile victims. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that its powerful intelligence chief, Major General Majid Khademi, was “martyred” in a joint U.S.-Israeli dawn attack on Monday. Meanwhile, the Israeli military reported a fresh wave of strikes against “regime targets” in the Iranian capital, resulting in at least 25 deaths.
The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has removed up to 15% of the global oil supply from the market, pushing prices toward $120 per barrel and causing economic ripples from Washington to Abuja.
A Slim Hope for Peace
Regional mediators, led by Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, remain in constant contact with both sides, but diplomatic sources describe the chances of a breakthrough before Tuesday’s deadline as “extremely slim.” Tehran remains insistent that any deal must include a permanent lifting of sanctions and a total withdrawal of the “Operation Persian Thunder” naval task force.
As the clock ticks toward the U.S. deadline, the global community is bracing for either a last-minute diplomatic miracle or a massive expansion of a war that already has no clear winners.
