{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h","title":"Iran rejects truce as Trump deadline looms","domain":"thetimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/33552552/pexels-photo-33552552.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Strait of Hormuz","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"d22eaf45","id":"d22eaf45-6d27-4cfc-8ff9-676fcf3634b7","description":"Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal via Pakistan, demanding a permanent end to the war with sanctions lifted and Hormuz control.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal via Pakistan, demanding a permanent end to the war with sanctions lifted and Hormuz control.\n- Trump warned on Truth Social that a whole civilisation will die tonight without a deal by 8pm EST to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.\n- Strikes continue on both sides, pushing oil above $111 a barrel amid risks of infrastructure attacks and wider chaos.\n\n## The story at a glance\nIran has cut off ceasefire talks with the US hours before President Trump's deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting a temporary truce in favour of its own ten-point plan. Key players include Trump, Iranian President Pezeshkian, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (reported unconscious), and mediators like Pakistan. This escalates now as the deadline hits 1am BST Wednesday, after weeks of shifting ultimatums and mutual strikes since late February.\n\n## Key points\n- Trump posted on Truth Social: a whole civilisation will die tonight if no deal, threatening to bomb Iran into the Stone Age by targeting bridges and power plants within four hours of deadline.\n- Iran responded via Pakistan with ten clauses: end regional conflicts, safe Hormuz passage protocol allowing fees, lift sanctions, fund reconstruction; called US plan maximalist.\n- US struck military targets on Kharg Island oil hub; Israel hit bridges, railways, Revolutionary Guard aircraft in Tehran area; Iran attacked Saudi Jubail complex.\n- Iranian President Pezeshkian said 14 million have volunteered to sacrifice lives; judiciary sped executions of enemy agents, seven hanged since war start.\n- Death toll nears 3,600 per NGO Hrana, including 1,665 civilians and 248 children; oil prices hit $111.57 Brent amid Hormuz blockade fears.\n- White House denied VP JD Vance implied nuclear use; UK barred RAF bases for strikes, France warned against civilian infrastructure attacks.\n- UN Security Council to vote on Hormuz unblocking resolution without force.\n\n## Details and context\nThe war began February 28 with US-Israeli strikes; Trump has delayed deadlines multiple times, from March 23, oscillating between threats and negotiation claims. Iran insists on permanent peace guarantees, no more bombing, and compensation, rejecting temporary ceasefires as surrender under pressure.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h)[[2]](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/iran-defiant-eve-trumps-ceasefire-deadline-2026-04-07)\n\nHormuz closure disrupts global energy; Iran shifts oil via Jask port, but IEA calls this the worst crisis ever, with impacts like Sri Lanka's $320m relief need and South Korea diversifying supplies.\n\nEuropean allies push de-escalation; Qatar says conflict nears uncontrollable; Kremlin eyes Russian energy gains.\n\n## Key quotes\n- Trump on Truth Social: “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h)\n- Pezeshkian: millions (14 million registered) would “sacrifice their lives” to defend Iran.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h)\n\n## Why it matters\nEscalation risks all-out regional war, drawing in Gulf states and disrupting 20% of global oil flows through Hormuz. Oil surge hits consumers with higher fuel costs, strains economies like South Korea's, boosts Russia. Watch if Trump strikes post-deadline or mediators like Pakistan broker last-minute deal - outcome uncertain amid ongoing attacks.","hashtags":["#iran","#us","#war","#trump","#hormuz","#oil"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-war-latest-news-tehran-rejects-peace-deadline-trump-gz662zx0h","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/iran-defiant-eve-trumps-ceasefire-deadline-2026-04-07","title":""}],"viewCount":3,"publishedAt":"2026-04-07T15:29:00.701Z"}