Iran rejects ceasefire despite Trump's threats

Ignoring multiple military threats and an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, Iran has rejected the US-proposed ceasefire. Tehran said it does not want a temporary truce but a permanent end to the war.

On Monday, April 6, Iran presented a 10-point counter-proposal in response to the US offer, delivered through mediator Pakistan.

According to Iran's state news agency IRNA, Tehran's demands include a complete end to conflict in the Middle East, a separate protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, lifting all sanctions, and reconstruction of war-torn areas.

On the same day, at a White House press conference, Trump warned that if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a ceasefire by Tuesday night, April 7, "hell" would rain down on the country. He claimed Iran could be "annihilated overnight" and reiterated his intention to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran.

Iran's top joint military command dismissed Trump's threats as "ravings of a mental disorder" and a "savage, arrogant proposal." Iran's Deputy Sports Minister Alireza Rahimi has called for forming human chains in front of the country's power plants.

Iran's ambassador to the United Nations described Trump's remarks as "direct incitement to terrorism" and "evidence of war crimes."

Several top US politicians have questioned Trump's mental fitness following his threats against Iran. Democratic leader and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump's statements "the rantings of a madman." Independent Senator Bernie Sanders described Trump's behaviour as "dangerous and mentally unbalanced." Senator Chris Murphy termed Trump's actions "sheer madness" and raised the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment to declare the president unfit for duty. Even Trump's former close ally Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Trump has "lost his mental balance."

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries one-fifth of the world's oil supply, has been closed since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Pakistan continues its mediation efforts to resolve the crisis.

According to HRANA, 3,546 people have been killed in Iran so far.