Tehran has hardened its stance in the escalating US-Iran war, rejecting any immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire and declaring it will fight on “until deemed fit”. Fresh Israeli and US strikes targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field, airports and military sites, while Pakistan scrambled to broker a last-ditch peace deal as global energy fears mounted.
Iran rejects ceasefire, slams US plan as ‘Illogical’
Iran has bluntly turned down a US-drafted 15-point peace proposal and a two-stage “Islamabad Accord” mediated by Pakistan, insisting it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz for a short-term truce. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf called Trump’s threats “reckless war crimes”, while Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei labelled the American plan “extremely ambitious and illogical”.
A senior official maintained, “We can continue the war as long as the political authorities see fit.” Iran also accused the UN nuclear watchdog of inaction after repeated strikes near its Bushehr atomic plant.
Trump extends Tuesday deadline, threatens ‘hell’
US President Donald Trump pushed his self-imposed deadline by 24 hours, now demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, 8 pm ET (5:30 AM IST on Wednesday, April 8) or face “major infrastructure strikes”. In a Truth Social post he warned of “hell” if no deal is reached. A White House official confirmed Operation Epic Fury continues and Trump will address the nation at 1 pm.
Iran responded by warning that any attack on power plants would trigger “Power Cut Day” across the region and make 2026 the “Oil & Gas Shortage Year” worldwide.
Also read: IRGC Intelligence chief assassinated: Israeli Defence Minister
Deadly blitz hits South Pars gas field, IRGC Intel chief killed
Israeli strikes destroyed key infrastructure at Iran’s South Pars gas field, the world’s largest, shared with Qatar, and hit three major airports, missile launch sites and dozens of military industries.
The Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Major General Majid Khademi, head of its Intelligence Organisation, in a “criminal terrorist attack” at dawn. Iran hit back by targeting the US amphibious assault ship LHA-7 and launching missiles and drones at Israel, Kuwait and the UAE. Explosions were also reported near US military headquarters in Jordan.
Nuclear alarm as IAEA warns of ‘severe radiological accident’
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi issued an urgent warning that strikes near the operating Bushehr nuclear power plant — hit four times since the war began, “pose a very real danger to nuclear safety and must stop”. Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said the latest attack killed a security staff member and could cause “irreparable consequences” for the region.
Regional Carnage: Deaths in Lebanon, UAE Port fire, 16 Indian ships stranded
Israeli raids on Lebanon killed at least 15 people and injured dozens on Monday, including a strike in Beirut’s Jnah neighbourhood. In the UAE, falling debris from an intercepted Iranian projectile sparked a fire at Khor Fakkan port, wounding four workers, one Nepali and three Pakistanis. Sixteen Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the blocked Strait of Hormuz, according to New Delhi. Iran’s Guards said they are preparing a “new order” for the waterway that will never revert to the old status for the US and Israel.
With a 45-day ceasefire proposal still under discussion, the window for de-escalation is narrowing fast. Both sides continue to trade blows even as diplomats race against Trump’s deadline.
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