Iran rejects US proposal for 48-hour ceasefire: Report
What's the story
Iran has reportedly rejected a United States proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera, which cited reports from the semi-official Fars news agency. The offer was reportedly made on Wednesday through an unnamed intermediary country. This rejection comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with no end in sight.
Unacceptable demands
Tehran rejects Islamabad-brokered ceasefire
On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that regional mediation efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have reached a dead end. The effort, led by Pakistan, has not resulted in any significant progress, as Tehran has officially informed mediators that it is not willing to send officials to Islamabad for talks in the near future. Iran has also emphasized that it considers Washington's demands unacceptable, effectively shutting down the current framework for negotiations.
Failed mediation
Military hostilities intensify as diplomatic efforts collapse
The collapse of these diplomatic efforts comes as military hostilities intensify. Earlier, on Friday, Iran shot down an A-10 Warthog attack plane near the Strait of Hormuz, US officials confirmed. This was the second US jet brought down by Iran this week, after an F-15 fighter aircraft was downed earlier.
Ongoing efforts
Search and rescue operations ongoing
The search and rescue operations are still underway for the crew of the downed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. The US military has confirmed that one crew member has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment. However, the fate of the second crew member remains unknown, according to a report by CNN.
Rejection
Iran rejects Trump's ceasefire claims
Iran has also rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that it sought a ceasefire. A senior Iranian official said Tehran wants a guaranteed ceasefire to end the conflict permanently. The Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai also criticized Trump's statements: "On April Fools' Day, it's almost poetic that Donald Trump still manages to outdo the jokes; talking about a 'new' Iran president when Dr Pezeshkian has been in office all along."