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TEHRAN has rejected a United States-backed ceasefire proposal and instead called for a lasting end to the war, escalating tensions as President Donald Trump warned of devastating military action if Iran fails to comply with his ultimatum.
According to Iran’s state news agency, the proposal relayed through Pakistan was dismissed by Tehran, which insisted that only a comprehensive and permanent settlement to the conflict would be acceptable.
Reuters cited on Tuesday that Iran’s response reportedly comprised ten conditions, including an end to regional hostilities, guarantees for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions and provisions for reconstruction.
Trump, however, rejected the response and reiterated his demand that Iran reopen the strategic waterway by a Tuesday night deadline, warning of overwhelming force if it failed to comply.
At a press conference, he said Iran could be "taken out" in one night "and that night might be tomorrow night," referring to Tuesday.
He further warned, "Every bridge in Iran will be decimated" by midnight EDT on Wednesday and "every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again."
Iran’s military leadership swiftly condemned the remarks.
A spokesperson for its joint armed forces command described Trump as “delusional” and denounced his warnings as “rude, arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats”.
The escalating rhetoric has been accompanied by intensifying military activity. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that “aggressors will see our might” following reported strikes on Sharif University of Technology, where facilities including an artificial intelligence centre were said to have been damaged.
Iranian officials have accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilian and academic infrastructure, with claims that dozens of universities have been hit since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, calls have emerged within Iran for public demonstrations to protect critical infrastructure.
Deputy Sports Minister Alireza Rahimi urged citizens to form human chains at power plants, stating: "We will stand hand in hand to say: Attacking public infrastructure is a war crime."
The conflict has also intensified across the wider region.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli strikes on Iranian petrochemical facilities were aimed at dismantling the financial networks of the Revolutionary Guards, while Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to target Iran’s leadership and infrastructure.
Iran has responded with missile attacks and strikes on regional energy facilities, demonstrating continued military capability despite repeated claims from Washington that its arsenal had been significantly degraded.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass, has amplified global economic concerns and driven up fuel prices, underscoring the strategic stakes of the crisis.
With thousands reported dead across multiple countries and the conflict entering its sixth week, fears are mounting of a broader regional escalation with far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences. - April 7, 2026
