Iran has rejected the US conditions for a ceasefire and direct talks
Mediation efforts by Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan to establish direct contact between the US and Iran have failed to yield results. The Iranian side has refused to make concessions and has not agreed to reconsider its key demands, according to the WSJ.
Tehran rejected a proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. The Iranian side also stated that it had no intention of holding a meeting with US representatives in Islamabad in the coming days.
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan held telephone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Presidential Representative Steve Witkoff, but these contacts did not yield any results. Against this backdrop, Turkey and Egypt have begun to consider alternative venues for possible talks, with Istanbul and Doha being mentioned.
On 5 April, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Iran, giving it 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz. He stated his readiness to strike power stations and bridges in the event of refusal.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that strikes on energy infrastructure and bridges in Iran could take place on Tuesday and called for the strait to be opened.
In response, Tehran stated that if there were further strikes on infrastructure, the “gates of hell” would open for the US and Israel.
A joint US-Israeli operation against Iran began on 28 February. In response, Iran began firing ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, as well as at Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Attacks on US military bases were also reported.
According to US intelligence, Iran has no plans to open the Strait of Hormuz in the near future. Representatives of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that this waterway is under their control.
On 3 April, the US lost two military aircraft. One F-15E was shot down over Iranian territory; one pilot was rescued, the other is missing. On the same day, an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft was lost near the Strait of Hormuz; the pilot was rescued.
Attempts to organise ceasefire negotiations have reached an impasse.
