Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a “temporary ceasefire,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters, adding that Tehran views Washington as unprepared for a permanent ceasefire.
The official confirmed that Iran had received Pakistan’s proposal for an immediate ceasefire and was reviewing it, but emphasized that Tehran does not accept being pressured with deadlines or forced to make a decision.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump published an expletive-laden post on social media, threatening to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if it failed to meet his Tuesday deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping. He reiterated an earlier warning of unleashing “hell” but told US media there was a “good chance” of a deal being reached with Tehran.
Iran’s central military command warned on Monday of “much more devastating” retaliation if civilian targets were attacked.
“If attacks on civilian targets are repeated, the next stages of our offensive and retaliatory operations will be much more devastating and widespread,” a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said in a statement posted by state broadcaster IRIB on Telegram.
Source: Reuters, Al Jazeera