WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has studied a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in the Iran war, a move he called a “very significant step” in the conflict.
“It’s a significant proposal, it’s a significant step. It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that intermediaries “are negotiating now.”
Earlier, Pakistan shared proposals for an immediate ceasefire with Washington and Tehran in an attempt to halt the five-week-old war between Iran and the United States.
A proposal for a 45-day ceasefire is “one of many things being discussed,” a senior White House official told NBC News.
Mediators want both sides to agree to suspend hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, to be followed by a period of detailed negotiations intended to reach a more complete peace agreement.
Trump demanded on Sunday that Iran open the strait by Tuesday evening or else he would target the country’s power plants and bridges.
Bombing Iran’s power plants
Trump brushed off concerns that hitting Iran’s power plants, as he has threatened after a deadline expires this week, would be a war crime.
“I’m not worried about it,” Trump told reporters when asked what he would say to those who allege that striking power plants would breach the laws of war.
“You know the war crime? The war crime is allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the president said.
Trump said that if the choice were up to him, he would take the oil from Iran, adding that the American public doesn’t want the US military to remain in the country.
“If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil, because it’s there for the taking. There’s not a thing they can do about it,” the US President said.
“Unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home. If it were up to me, I would take the oil, I keep the oil, I would make plenty of money, and I’d also take care of the people of Iran much better than they’ve been taken care of.”
Asked what he would say to Americans who do not like the war with Iran, Trump said, “They’re foolish because the war’s about one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump reiterated his threat to destroy Iran’s power plants and bridges if it does not agree to a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“They don’t want to cry, as the expression goes, ‘uncle.’ But they will, and if they don’t, they’ll have no bridges. They’ll have no power plants. They’ll have nothing,” Trump said.
The US President said the war was about “one thing,” which he said was preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But he also said he would like to seize Iran’s oil.
US, Iran receive ‘Islamabad Accord’
Earlier today, Iran and the US received a proposed plan to halt hostilities, several international media outlets reported, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed that the peace process is ongoing.
The proposed Islamabad Accord is structured in two phases. The immediate phase calls for a ceasefire to begin straight away and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz without delay.
This would be followed by a final, comprehensive peace deal to be negotiated over 15–20 days.
Named the “Islamabad Accord,” the final agreement may include Iran agreeing to limits on its nuclear programme, specifically refraining from developing weapons.
In return, Tehran would receive sanctions relief, the release of frozen assets, and a broader regional framework to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier, Axios reported that the US, Iran, and regional mediators were considering a 45-day ceasefire as part of a deal that could ultimately bring a permanent end to the conflict, citing US, Israeli, and regional sources.
Pakistan has been in continuous contact with US Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
Under the proposal, the ceasefire would take immediate effect, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with 15–20 days allocated to finalise a broader settlement, reports Reuters, a news agency.
The Islamabad Accord would include a regional framework for the Strait of Hormuz, with final in-person negotiations in Islamabad.
Pakistan calls for ‘urgent de-escalation’
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday called for “urgent de-escalation,” as his country has played a key role as mediator between Tehran and Washington.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said Dar “reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting all initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the achievement of lasting peace and stability” in a phone call with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi.
Motegi appreciated and supported Pakistan’s “constructive role” in facilitating dialogue and diplomacy for regional peace and stability, the ministry said, adding that the leaders agreed to maintain contact.
‘Good chance’ for a deal
Earlier on Sunday, Trump hoped that there was a “good chance” of making a deal with Iran on Monday.
“I think there is a good chance tomorrow, they are negotiating now,” the president told a Fox News journalist.
“If they don’t make a deal and fast, I’m considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil,” he added.
Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran seeks a permanent ceasefire with guarantees against future attacks by the US and Israel, while messages have also come from mediators, including Pakistan, Turkiye, and Egypt.
The final deal is expected to involve Iranian commitments to halt nuclear weapons development in exchange for sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets.
The renewed diplomatic push comes amid rising tensions threatening the security of shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil supplies.
US President Donald Trump has called for a swift end to hostilities, warning of consequences if a ceasefire is not achieved promptly.
Pakistan is playing a prominent role in the talks, leveraging its long-standing diplomatic ties with both Washington and Tehran.
Islamabad has engaged in back-channel communications with US and Iranian officials, alongside coordination with other regional partners such as Egypt and Turkiye.
Analysts suggest Pakistan’s mediation reflects a strategic effort to stabilise the region and reduce spill-over effects from the conflict, which has already disrupted global energy markets.
The ceasefire period could be extended if additional time is required to negotiate security guarantees, trade routes, and other critical issues.
Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach
Pakistan has intensified its diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the US-Israel war involving Iran.
Islamabad hosted key regional ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Egypt, while also facilitating the exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran.
Pakistan and China jointly called on the United States, Israel, and Iran to halt ongoing strikes and begin “peace talks as soon as possible.”
The appeal followed a high-level meeting in Beijing between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Bahrain has lauded Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and stability in the region, with Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani praising the Pakistan–China five-point initiative during a call with Minister Ishaq Dar.
The framework, calling for an immediate ceasefire, dialogue, civilian protection, and the security of key maritime routes including the Strait of Hormuz, has received broad regional and international support, including from the US.
