Trump’s Midnight Threat: Iran Refuses Ceasefire as War With Israel Escalates.
Tensions in the Middle East intensified on Tuesday as Iran and Israel launched fresh strikes against each other, while Tehran rejected calls to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz or agree to a ceasefire.
The standoff comes just hours before a deadline issued by Donald Trump, who warned that Iran could face devastating attacks if it fails to meet U.S. demands.
Amid the rising tension, Pakistan has stepped in with a last-minute mediation effort. Iran’s ambassador to Islamabad said the diplomatic push was showing “positive and productive” signs, hinting that negotiations may be reaching a delicate stage.
According to sources familiar with the talks, Tehran turned down a U.S. proposal – reportedly facilitated by Pakistan – that called for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by broader peace negotiations within weeks. Instead, Iran reportedly responded with a 10-point framework that includes ending regional conflicts, guaranteeing safe passage through the strategic waterway, lifting international sanctions, and funding post-war reconstruction.
Meanwhile, the rhetoric from Washington has grown increasingly fierce. Trump warned that if Iran fails to comply before the deadline, its power plants and key infrastructure could be destroyed in a massive overnight assault.
The conflict has already escalated on the battlefield. Israel said its forces carried out a new wave of airstrikes targeting government infrastructure in Tehran, while also activating air defence systems to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. Israeli authorities also warned civilians in Iran to avoid railway lines and trains for safety reasons.
Across the Gulf, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted ballistic missiles heading toward its eastern region, with debris falling near energy facilities. Regional tensions forced Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to issue public safety alerts, while the bridge linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was briefly shut as a precaution.
Oil markets have reacted sharply to the crisis. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed – through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes – global crude prices surged to around $110 per barrel, fueling fears of rising inflation worldwide.
Diplomatic tensions have also spilled into international forums. Iran’s envoy to the United Nations condemned Trump’s threats as incitement and warned that targeting civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes under international law.
As the war drags on, the human toll continues to climb. Rights groups estimate thousands have been killed across the region, with heavy casualties reported in Iran and neighboring Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have also targeted the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
With the deadline approaching and attacks still ongoing, fears are mounting that the conflict could spiral into a far wider regional war.
