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Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s military leadership has been working nonstop to broker a deal. Field Marshal Asim Munir has reportedly held continuous high-level talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a frantic attempt to bring both sides to the table.
The Islamabad-backed framework was structured in two phases. The first phase called for an immediate ceasefire paired with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The second phase would allow roughly two to three weeks for negotiators to hammer out a more comprehensive and lasting agreement.
But Iran didn’t just reject the proposal—it countered with a ten-point list of demands that has raised eyebrows across the international community.
Among the demands reportedly outlined by Iranian officials: a complete and permanent cessation of all hostilities, immediate removal of all U.S. economic sanctions, and the establishment of a new regional security structure that could significantly weaken America’s allies while legitimizing Iran-backed militant groups.
The regime also pushed for guaranteed control over navigation terms in the Strait of Hormuz, massive Western-funded reconstruction efforts, and—perhaps most alarming—zero restrictions on its nuclear program or ballistic missile development.
Additionally, Tehran is said to be demanding a full withdrawal of U.S. military forces from key areas in the Persian Gulf, financial reparations for damages stemming from prior U.S. strikes, and formal recognition of its influence across the Middle East—including ties to groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas.
Unsurprisingly, U.S. officials have signaled that Iran’s proposal is a nonstarter. Early reactions indicate that the demands fall dramatically short of what Washington considers acceptable, particularly given Tehran’s refusal to limit its nuclear ambitions or missile capabilities.
Reports also suggest that Iran outright dismissed American conditions aimed at curbing its weapons programs, labeling them “excessive” and refusing to entertain any concessions on those fronts.
As diplomatic efforts stall, the rhetoric from former President Donald Trump has escalated sharply, injecting even more urgency into an already volatile situation.
Over the weekend, Trump took to Truth Social to issue a stark warning to Iran’s leadership, demanding immediate action or face devastating consequences.
“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” Trump wrote.
The following day, in a series of Easter Sunday posts, Trump intensified his message, setting what appeared to be a hard deadline for compliance.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP”
In a follow-up message, he added: “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump doubled down on the warning, making clear that military action remains firmly on the table if Iran refuses to back down.
“We are obliterating that country. And I hate to do it, but we’re obliterating it—and they just don’t want to say ‘uncle.’ They don’t want to cry, as the expression goes, ‘uncle,’ but they will. And if they don’t, they’ll have no bridges, they’ll have no power plants, they’ll have nothing. I won’t go further, because there are other things that are worse than those two.”
WATCH:
With both sides digging in and diplomatic options narrowing, the world now watches closely as the clock ticks down—raising fears that the next move could ignite a far larger and more dangerous conflict.
