US and Iran Scrutinise Peace Proposal as Trump Issues Dire Threats and Regional Conflict Intensifies
Iran and the United States are currently engaged in a critical review of a peace plan aimed at ending the protracted war in the Middle East. This development follows former President Donald Trump's incendiary threat to 'rain hell' on Tehran, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
Two-Tier Peace Framework Under Discussion
According to a source familiar with the proposals, the peace plan involves a structured two-tier approach. The initial phase would implement an immediate ceasefire, followed by a comprehensive agreement to be finalised within a tight timeframe of 15 to 20 days. This diplomatic effort has seen Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, maintaining 'all night long' communications with key figures, including US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
However, Iran has firmly rejected any immediate reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian official emphasised that Tehran will not accept externally imposed deadlines while it reviews the proposal. The official also criticised Washington, stating it lacks the readiness for a permanent ceasefire, casting doubt on the prospects for a lasting resolution.
Trump's Bellicose Rhetoric and Escalating Military Actions
Axios initially reported on Sunday that the US, Iran, and regional mediators were discussing a potential 45-day ceasefire as part of a two-phase deal that could lead to a permanent end to the conflict, citing sources from the US, Israel, and the region. In a provocative post on Truth Social, Trump threatened additional strikes on Iran's energy and transport infrastructure, declaring, 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.'
He added in an expletive-laden tirade, 'There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*****' Strait, you crazy b*******, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.' Later, he provided a more precise deadline: 'Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time! (Wednesday 0000 GMT)'. Fresh aerial strikes were reported across the region on Monday, more than five weeks since the US and Israel initiated a campaign against Iran that has resulted in thousands of casualties and economic disruption through surging oil prices.
Regional Fallout and Humanitarian Toll
In response to the attacks, Iran effectively closed the Hormuz waterway, a critical conduit for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supply, and launched assaults on Israel, US military bases, and energy infrastructure around the Gulf. Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE president, stressed that any settlement must guarantee access through the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that a deal failing to curb Iran's nuclear programme, missiles, and drones would lead to 'a more dangerous, more volatile Middle East'.
Over the weekend, Iranian strikes on petrochemical facilities and an Israeli-linked vessel in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates demonstrated Tehran's continued capacity to retaliate, despite Trump's repeated assertions of having neutralised its missile and drone capabilities. Iranian state media reported the death of Majid Khademi, head of the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence organisation. Strikes by Israel and the US have claimed several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba.
Israeli rescuers retrieved two bodies from the rubble of a residential building in Haifa struck by an Iranian missile on Sunday, according to Israeli media. The US-based rights group HRANA stated that about 3,540 people have been killed in Iran since the war erupted, including at least 244 children. Israel has also invaded southern Lebanon and targeted Beirut in a conflict against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, marking the most violent spillover of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Lebanese authorities report heavy casualties, with 1,461 killed, including at least 124 children.
