Definitive end to war needed: Iran rejects temporary peace deal as Trump’s deadline looms

TEHRAN / WASHINGTON: The Middle East stands on the precipice of total war today as U.S. President Donald Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum to Iran approaches its final hours. With a deadline set for 5:30 AM IST (Midnight GMT), the President has warned that the United States is prepared to "completely destroy" Iranian strategic assets if the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical oil chokepoint—is not immediately reopened to international shipping.

Despite the looming threat, Tehran remains defiant. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated late Monday that Iran "will not give in to ultimatums and threats," insisting that the waterway will remain closed until a permanent cessation of hostilities is guaranteed.

Diplomatic efforts are moving at a feverish pace to avert a catastrophic escalation. Under the leadership of U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, a framework known as the "Islamabad Accord" has been presented to both Washington and Tehran.

• Mediators: Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt.
• Proposal: A two-phase plan beginning with an immediate 45-day ceasefire.
• The Terms: Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately in exchange for a pause in airstrikes, followed by 15–20 days of intensive negotiations toward a permanent settlement and sanctions relief.

While Washington is reportedly reviewing the proposal, Iran has officially rejected any deal that includes a "temporary" reopening of the Strait or specific time limits on its sovereignty.

The diplomatic tension is mirrored by a brutal air campaign. Early Monday morning, joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes struck deep within Iranian territory, dealing a severe blow to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

• Intelligence Decapitated: Major General Majid Khademi, head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, was killed in a dawn strike. This marks the second intelligence chief lost in a year, following the death of his predecessor, Mohammad Kazemi, in 2025.
• Energy Infrastructure: Massive explosions rocked Assaluyeh, home to Iran’s largest petrochemical facility, which accounts for nearly 50% of the country’s production. Facilities in Marvdasht were also targeted, prompting neighbouring Gulf states to place their own energy hubs on high alert.
• Academic and Digital Targets: A precision missile hit a data centre at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran. The facility, described as the "MIT of Iran," reportedly housed infrastructure for the nation’s artificial intelligence and military drone platforms.

Initial reports suggest that more than 25 people were killed in the latest wave of strikes. Beyond the military targets, significant damage was reported at a natural gas distribution center near Tehran, leading to widespread power outages. Residential areas in Eslamshahr and the holy city of Qom were also caught in the crossfire, according to local sources.

As the clock ticks toward the 5:30 AM deadline, the global community watches the Persian Gulf with bated breath. Oil prices have already surged to record highs, and military analysts warn that if the "Islamabad Accord" fails tonight, the region may enter a conflict from which there is no easy return.

"We have conveyed our positions. We are ready for peace, but we are not ready for surrender." — Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry