Iran rejects ceasefire as Trump warns war could end ‘very quickly’

Iran rejects ceasefire as Trump warns war could end ‘very quickly’
U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, 1 April, 2026
Reuters

Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, insisting any agreement must deliver a permanent end to the war, according to state media on Monday.

The United States and Iran are weighing a framework to end their five-week-old conflict, but Tehran has pushed back against calls for a temporary truce and a rapid reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran conveyed its response to the U.S. proposal via Pakistan, formally rejecting a ceasefire and stressing the need for a lasting resolution, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The response included 10 clauses, covering an end to regional hostilities, guarantees for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and post-war reconstruction, IRNA added.

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a hard line, warning he would unleash severe consequences if Iran failed to reach a deal by 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) on Tuesday to restore shipping through the critical energy corridor.

Speaking about the conflict, Trump said the war “could end very quickly if they do the things they need to do,” while also signalling a more aggressive stance, adding: “If I had my choice I would take the oil.”

He also suggested the United States could withdraw at any moment but preferred to conclude operations decisively, saying: “We could leave right now but I want to finish it up.”

The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the standoff, with global markets closely watching whether any agreement will ensure the safe flow of oil through one of the world’s most vital maritime routes.

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