US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with the Iranian government by issuing fresh threats aimed at coercing Tehran into opening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he warned that if Iran does not open the strait by 3:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, the US will "blow up" the country's bridges and power plants. This marks the latest in a series of deadlines Trump has set and then deferred since March 21, when he first threatened to target Iran's energy infrastructure.
Behind the threats, peace efforts led by mediators including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey are underway to secure at least a partial breakthrough to delay or prevent further military escalation by Trump. Sources confirm that a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire is on the table, which would create a window for broader negotiations between the US and Iran, either directly or through intermediaries. However, Pakistani officials, serving as the central mediator, declined to confirm or deny the plan, citing the sensitivity of the peace process.
The complexity of the negotiations is compounded by the frequently shifting positions of the Trump administration, leading mediators to avoid divulging details publicly. Reuters reported that a mediation group led by Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has proposed a short-term pause in fighting followed by a longer ceasefire. Under this proposal, Iran would agree to open the Strait of Hormuz – currently restricted to ships from select countries – pending a larger agreement to end the war.
Iranian authorities, however, have rejected Trump's unilateral deadlines, stating they will only reopen the strait after reparations are paid for war damages. Additionally, Tehran expressed concerns that a short-term ceasefire could create dynamics similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon, where, despite formal truces, Israel and the US continued attacks at will. Analysts warn that threats to mass-destroy civilian infrastructure, such as bridges and power plants, could violate laws of war, heightening risks of humanitarian catastrophe. As threats and talks proceed concurrently, regional instability continues to mount.
Source: www.aljazeera.com