President Donald Trump has not approved a multi-nation proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Iran, which also calls for the immediate reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Iran has rejected the temporary truce, stating it has prepared its own response to U.S. demands to end the war and insisting on a permanent resolution rather than a short-term pause.
The plan, circulated to both Washington and Tehran late Sunday, represents a last-ditch mediation effort by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey to avert further escalation. It aims to create a window for negotiations to achieve a lasting end to the fighting, which entered its sixth week amid unrelenting Iranian retaliation. A White House official confirmed Trump has not endorsed the proposal, describing it as “one of many ideas” while emphasizing that U.S. military operations against Iran continue without interruption. Trump is scheduled to address the conflict during a White House news conference at 1 p.m. ET.
Mediators forwarded the draft to U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. However, Iran has opposed any brief ceasefire, arguing it would merely allow adversaries time to regroup and resume hostilities. Optimism among mediators that the deal could be implemented before Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. ET deadline appears to be fading. The president has repeatedly threatened massive strikes on Iranian infrastructure—including power plants and bridges—if the strait remains closed to international shipping.
In parallel developments, Israel’s defense ministry announced Monday that the government has approved accelerated production of Arrow missile interceptors. The Arrow system forms the upper tier of Israel’s multi-layered air defense network, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes. Defense Minister Israel Katz and ministry officials pushed the measure, which will significantly boost output through a new agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries. Katz stressed that Israel possesses sufficient interceptors for current needs but aims to ensure long-term operational endurance. “The ayatollah regime should know: the state of Israel is strong and resilient, prepared to continue the campaign as long as necessary,” he declared.
The United Arab Emirates has cautioned that any ceasefire must go beyond a simple pause and address broader regional security concerns. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic advisor to the UAE president, told media outlets that Abu Dhabi seeks an end to the conflict but not at the expense of greater instability. He emphasized the need to tackle Iran’s nuclear program, its missile and drone capabilities—which continue to target Gulf states—and Tehran’s belligerence toward its neighbors. Gargash warned that failing to resolve these issues could strengthen rather than diminish U.S. and Israeli influence in the Gulf, while Iran has demanded the closure of American military bases in the region as a key condition for ending hostilities.
As tensions mount ahead of the deadline, the proposal’s fate remains uncertain, with global energy markets and regional stability hanging in the balance.
