President Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Tehran, warning that the window for a negotiated peace is rapidly closing. Trump claimed on Thursday that while Iranian officials are publicly dismissive of the U.S. peace proposal, they are secretly “begging” for an end to the hostilities. He described the current state of Iran as “militarily obliterated” and stated that a refusal to negotiate in good faith would lead to consequences that “won’t be pretty.”
The conflict, which began on February 28, 2026, has seen the most intense air campaign in the region’s history, with U.S. Central Command reporting the destruction of a third of Iran’s missile launchers. The 15-point U.S. plan aims to capitalize on this military advantage by mandating the total dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In return, the U.S. has offered partial sanctions relief and a potential reopening of the global financial system to Iranian banks.
Tehran’s response has been one of public defiance, with military spokesmen accusing Trump of “negotiating with himself.” However, behind the scenes, mediators from Pakistan have reportedly delivered Iran’s own 5-point counter-proposal, which demands reparations for war damages and the recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz. This clash of “red lines” has prevented any formal ceasefire agreement as the war nears its one-month mark.
The humanitarian situation is reaching a breaking point, with over 1,500 Iranians and 1,100 Lebanese citizens killed in the crossfire. Millions have been displaced, and the region is facing its worst security crisis in decades. The U.S. has also paid a heavy price, with 13 personnel killed and hundreds more wounded in missile and drone attacks on regional bases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Looking forward, the White House has set a firm deadline of April 6 for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has signaled that he will hold off on targeting Iran’s power grid until then, but warned that there will be “no turning back” if the deadline passes without a signed deal. The international community is bracing for the possibility of a final, more destructive phase of the war if the “strange” negotiators do not find common ground.