President Donald Trump has not approved a proposed international plan calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a White House official. The initiative, circulated late Sunday, is described as one of several options under consideration as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Iran has rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, saying it would allow adversaries time to regroup, and claims it has prepared its own response to US demands to end the conflict.
The proposal was reportedly delivered to US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi through mediators including Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey. Diplomatic efforts have stalled after indirect talks broke down last week, with hopes for direct negotiations fading. Some mediators still believe a limited truce could open the door to broader peace discussions, though disagreement over key conditions remains.
The White House official said US military operations related to the conflict are continuing, and President Trump is expected to address the situation at a press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, reports suggest Washington is weighing further strikes on Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, a move aimed at pressuring Tehran economically.
As the conflict reaches its sixth week, Israel has approved expanded production of Arrow missile interceptors, its top-tier defense system designed to counter long-range ballistic threats. Defense officials say the decision is intended to increase readiness amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks, though they insist current stockpiles remain sufficient.
Regional reactions remain mixed. The United Arab Emirates has emphasized that any ceasefire must address Gulf security concerns, including Iran’s missile and drone capabilities and its nuclear program. A senior UAE adviser warned that instability could deepen if agreements fail to include broader regional assurances, noting that the involvement of US and Israeli forces in the Gulf could increase rather than diminish.
Iran, meanwhile, has demanded broader security changes in the region, including restrictions on US military bases it says are used for operations against it.
Officials across the region say the situation remains highly fluid, with no clear timeline for resolution as military activity, diplomatic messaging, and economic pressure continue simultaneously. Analysts warn that any miscalculation around maritime access or missile exchanges could further widen the conflict, drawing in additional regional actors. International observers are calling for renewed negotiations, though trust between the parties remains low and prospects for a durable ceasefire are uncertain in the near term in the coming days and weeks ahead.
