Iran Rejects Temporary Ceasefire, As Trump Sets Deadline For Reopening Hormuz
President Donald J. Trump has declined to endorse a proposed 45-day ceasefire aimed at halting the intensifying conflict with Iran—signaling that the United States will not be pressured into a temporary pause that could ultimately benefit Tehran.
The proposal, quietly circulated Sunday among international mediators, called for both a ceasefire and the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The effort appears to have been driven by growing concern over President Trump’s warnings of decisive military action against Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities, should the waterway remain obstructed.
A White House official confirmed the administration has not signed off on the plan.
“This is one of many ideas,” the official said, emphasizing that ongoing U.S. military operations in Iran continue without interruption.
President Trump is expected to address the nation on the conflict during a scheduled White House press conference at 1 p.m. ET, as global attention remains fixed on Washington’s next move.
Diplomacy Stalls as Iran Rejects Temporary Halt
Despite mediation attempts by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, diplomatic momentum has largely collapsed. Indirect negotiations have stalled in recent days, and hopes for direct talks appear increasingly unlikely.
The latest ceasefire framework was delivered to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Backers of the proposal argue that a 45-day pause could create space for a broader, lasting resolution.
Iran, however, has shown little interest in such an arrangement. Officials in Tehran reportedly view a temporary ceasefire as a strategic disadvantage—one that would allow adversaries to regroup and resume hostilities under more favorable conditions.
Still, mediators are scrambling to secure a breakthrough before President Trump’s stated Tuesday deadline of 8 p.m. ET.
Israel Strengthens Defenses as War Drags On
As the conflict enters its sixth week, Israel is taking decisive steps to reinforce its national defense capabilities. The government has approved a plan to ramp up production of Arrow missile interceptors—critical components of its layered missile defense system.
Designed to neutralize long-range ballistic threats beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the Arrow system has become essential amid Iran’s continued missile barrages.
The procurement decision, led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and ministry director General Amir Baraam, will expand cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries to significantly boost interceptor output.
Officials moved swiftly to counter reports suggesting Israel’s interceptor reserves were dangerously low.
“Israel has sufficient interceptors to defend its citizens,” Katz said, while noting that increased production will “ensure continued operational freedom and the necessary endurance.”
“The ayatollah regime should know: the state of Israel is strong and resilient, prepared to continue the campaign as long as necessary,” Katz said.
Gulf States Warn Against Weak Deal
Meanwhile, Gulf Arab nations are signaling that any agreement must go far beyond a simple ceasefire.
Anwar Gargash, a senior advisor to the United Arab Emirates president, underscored the broader stakes in remarks to CNN.
“to see an end to this conflict, but an end to this conflict should not also create a continuous instability in the region.”
Gargash emphasized that any deal must address Iran’s nuclear ambitions as well as its ongoing missile and drone attacks.
“which are still raining on us and on other countries.”
“And then, if Iran also wants to see a non-belligerence agreement, that agreement has to extend to everybody. It’s not only American-Israeli actions against Iran, but it has to be also Iran’s belligerence against its neighbors,” he said.
He further warned that Iran’s aggression could ultimately strengthen—not weaken—U.S. and Israeli influence across the Gulf.
“We will also see Israeli influence become more prominent in the Gulf, not less.”
Iran Demands U.S. Withdrawal
Tehran, for its part, continues to demand the closure of U.S. military bases in the region as a precondition for ending hostilities—an insistence that runs directly counter to American strategic interests and commitments to regional allies.
With both sides entrenched and the clock ticking toward President Trump’s deadline, the prospect of a quick resolution appears increasingly remote. Instead, the administration’s refusal to accept a short-term ceasefire signals a broader commitment to achieving a decisive and lasting outcome—rather than a fragile pause that risks emboldening one of America’s most persistent adversaries.