Pakistan Proposes 45-Day Ceasefire Between US and Iran Amid Ongoing Strikes and Threats

President Trump is scheduled to hold a White House news conference at 1 p.m. Eastern on Monday to discuss the rescue mission, with military personnel present.

President Trump threatened to destroy Iran's power plants and civilian infrastructure if no deal is reached by Tuesday evening. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei stated that such threats constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Baqaei acknowledged ongoing diplomatic efforts but emphasized incompatibility with ultimatums. The IRGC naval command declared Monday that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its former state, particularly for the U.S. and Israel. Iran has enforced a de facto blockade on the strait for five weeks in retaliation, allowing some non-U.S. and non-Israeli ships to pass after collecting fees on Larak Island.

The proposed final agreement under Pakistan's framework includes Iranian commitments to forgo nuclear weapons in exchange for lifted U.S. sanctions and release of frozen Iranian assets worth billions of dollars. Some Iranian officials have suggested reparations, potentially in the form of permanent tolls on strait transits.

The conflict escalated after the U.S.-Israeli strikes began five weeks ago, prompting Iranian retaliation including the downing of the U.S. F-15. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, remains partially blocked, affecting global trade. Legal experts, including former Obama administration adviser Tess Bridgeman, noted that targeting civilian infrastructure like power plants, which support hospitals and water facilities, violates international law.

Elliott Abrams, former special representative for Iran under the first Trump administration, advised focusing strikes on regime targets rather than civilian assets to maintain support from the Iranian population.