Iran has indicated that it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, as stated by a senior Iranian official. This decision follows a deadline set by Donald Trump for the country to open the crucial waterway. Trump had warned of severe consequences if Iran did not comply with the deadline, even threatening to target Iran’s power plants in a provocative social media post.
An unnamed Iranian official mentioned that Iran’s leadership is considering a two-tier plan proposed by Pakistani mediators to halt hostilities. The first stage of the plan involves a ceasefire lasting over a month to stop missile and drone attacks, allowing for the prompt reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The subsequent part of the plan, known as the “Islamabad Accords,” would focus on negotiating sanction reliefs and nuclear agreements within 15-20 days.
Despite these developments, Tehran remains skeptical about Washington’s commitment to a permanent ceasefire and is firm on not reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary truce. Esmaeil Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, emphasized that negotiations should not be influenced by ultimatums or threats of war crimes. Baghaei stated that Iran will stand by its legitimate demands without compromising its positions.
The deadline set by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, initially scheduled for today, has been extended to 8pm ET on Tuesday. Baghaei stressed that Iran will respond appropriately in due time.
