UNITED STATES – The White House on Monday confirmed that a 45-day ceasefire deal with Iran is under consideration, though President Donald Trump has not approved the proposal and military operations continue.
“This is one of many ideas, and POTUS [Trump] has not signed off on it. Operation Epic Fury continues,” a White House official told AFP. Trump was scheduled to address the conflict at a press conference at 17:00 GMT (19:00; South Africa Standard Time).
The confirmation followed a weekend of escalating threats from the US president, who demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war that erupted on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
In an expletive-filled social media post on Sunday, Trump warned: “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell.” He set a deadline of Tuesday at 20:00 local time (midnight GMT), threatening strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Trump of following orders from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family,” he posted.
Russia condemned the threats and urged Washington to abandon “the language of ultimatums” and return to negotiations.
The conflict has disrupted the global economy, with Iranian missiles striking Israeli cities and economic infrastructure across the Gulf, sending energy prices soaring. Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for oil and gas.
Over the Easter weekend, the US rescued a weapons systems officer whose F-15 fighter jet was shot down inside Iran. The airman, equipped with a pistol, beacon and secure communications device, sheltered in mountainous terrain whilst American special forces and Iranian troops raced to locate him.
Two aircraft intended to transport the rescued airman had to be destroyed at a remote Iranian base to prevent capture. Iran claimed its forces destroyed four US aircraft involved in the operation and reported five people killed in strikes during the mission.
Critical infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait came under Iranian attack on Sunday. UAE authorities dealt with an “incident” at the port of Khor Fakkan following an Iranian strike.
Lebanon has been increasingly drawn into the conflict through Iran-backed Hezbollah. Israel has pushed ground forces into southern Lebanon, with army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir pledging to intensify strikes on Sunday.
A missile fired from Iran hit a residential building in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, injuring four people.
The war cast a shadow over Easter celebrations across the region. Israeli authorities restricted access to Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre, whilst Pope Leo XIV urged those with “the power to unleash wars” to “choose peace” instead.
Meanwhile, Iran will continue the war with the United States and Israel for as long as its political leaders deem necessary, an army spokesman said on Monday.
“We can continue the war as long as the political authorities see fit,” Mohammad Akraminia told ISNA news agency, adding that “the enemy must definitely regret it because, after this war, we need to reach a point of security and not witness another war”.
