Tehran had rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday, citing a source.
According to a report by Reuters, the source said the proposal was made on Wednesday through another country, which was not named.
The ongoing West Asia conflict is now over a month old. Iran launched a wave of retaliatory strikes after US, Israel jointly attacked the Islamic Republic on Saturday, 28 February – which also killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Explosions were reported across Dubai, Abu Dhabi among other key Gulf hubs – which are also home to US military bases.
On Thursday, Trump had threatened to destroy Iran's bridges and energy infrastructure as the war dragged into its fifth week despite the US President's claims of ongoing negotiations.
Trump's threat to Iran
Trump has even claimed multiple victories in the ongoing conflict.
"Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, hinting of more military action to come.
"Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!," the US President threatened, adding, "New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST! (sic)"
Donald Trump made the remarks amid reports of ongoing contacts between Washington and Tehran.
According to Channel 12, indirect talks were held on Thursday between US Vice President J. D. Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, with mediation reportedly led by Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir.
The most recent round of discussions is said to have taken place on Tuesday, 31 March – during which Vance reportedly told Tehran that Washington would be open to a ceasefire if the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
