President Donald Trump has not endorsed a 45-day ceasefire proposal drafted by mediating nations that would also require the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has rejected the temporary truce, stating it has prepared its own response to U.S. demands to end the ongoing conflict.
The plan, delivered to both Washington and Tehran late Sunday, aims to avert Trump’s warnings of devastating strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants, if the strategic waterway remains blocked. A White House official confirmed Trump has not approved the initiative, describing it as “one of many ideas” while emphasizing that U.S. military operations against Iran continue without pause. Trump is scheduled to address the war during a White House news conference at 1 p.m. ET today.
Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey have led mediation efforts between the two sides. However, indirect talks stalled last week, and prospects for direct negotiations have faded. The latest proposal was shared with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Mediators hope the 45-day window would create space for permanent peace discussions. Iran has opposed any short-term ceasefire, arguing it would merely allow adversaries to regroup and rearm. Optimism persists among mediators that the deal could advance before Trump’s Tuesday 8 p.m. ET deadline. The proposal was first reported by Axios.
As the U.S.-Iran war enters its sixth week with no letup in Iranian retaliation, Israel’s government on Monday approved accelerated production of Arrow missile interceptors. The Arrow system forms the upper tier of Israel’s multi-layered air defenses, designed to neutralize long-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes and outside the atmosphere. It has been central in countering Iranian attacks during the current conflict and the earlier 12-day war in June.
The ministerial committee for procurement greenlit the plan, advanced by Defense Minister Israel Katz and ministry Director General Amir Baraam. A new agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries will significantly boost both the rate and volume of interceptor output to sustain operations amid evolving threats. This follows reports suggesting possible strain on Israel’s stockpiles, though officials have pushed back against claims of critical shortages. Katz affirmed that Israel possesses sufficient interceptors to protect its citizens and that the expansion ensures “continued operational freedom and necessary endurance.” He warned the Iranian regime that Israel remains “strong and resilient,” ready to prosecute the campaign for as long as required.
The United Arab Emirates has cautioned that any ceasefire must tackle broader Gulf Arab security concerns to prevent a more unstable regional environment. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, told CNN that ending the conflict should not foster ongoing instability. He stressed the need to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as well as its missiles and drones that continue targeting Gulf states and others. Gargash added that any non-aggression pact must encompass all parties, including Iran’s actions against its neighbors, not just U.S. and Israeli measures. He suggested Iran’s aggression would likely strengthen rather than diminish U.S. and Israeli influence in the Gulf. Iran has demanded the closure of U.S. bases in the region as a key condition for halting hostilities, claiming they serve as launchpads for attacks.
