Iran has rejected a proposed ceasefire while stressing the need for a “permanent end to the war” that takes into account its strategic and security concerns. Tehran has conveyed its response to Pakistan regarding a United States-backed proposal aimed at ending the conflict.
The proposal reportedly includes a set of Iranian demands, such as a broader cessation of regional hostilities, guarantees for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction commitments, and the lifting of sanctions.
The development comes amid intensifying violence, with at least 34 people—including six children—reported killed in large-scale strikes carried out by the United States and Israel across Iran.
The attacks targeted both civilian areas and strategic sites, including a leading university, following a deadline set by US President Donald Trump demanding that Tehran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further strikes on critical infrastructure such as power plants and bridges.
An Iranian military spokesperson, Mohammad Akraminia, said the country is prepared to continue the conflict as long as its political leadership deems necessary. “We can continue the war as long as the political authorities see fit,” he told ISNA, adding that Iran aims to ensure long-term security and prevent future wars.
Top university targeted in strikes
US-Israeli strikes hit Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, one of Iran’s most prestigious scientific institutions, often compared to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. The attack caused extensive damage to key facilities, including laboratories and a mosque within the campus.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref accused Washington of using a “bunker-buster” bomb in the strike. In a statement, he described the attack as a reflection of “ignorance,” asserting that Iran’s scientific progress cannot be destroyed through military force.
Diplomatic efforts and stalemate
Efforts to end the war have included a draft proposal calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Indirect nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran had been underway prior to the outbreak of the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of derailing diplomacy, saying the negotiations were effectively destroyed when military action was launched.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, arguing it would allow opposing forces to regroup and prolong the war. “We are calling for an end to the war and for preventing its recurrence,” he said, according to state media.
Concerns over targeting civilian infrastructure
European leaders have warned against the escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure. António Costa stressed that targeting energy facilities would be “illegal and unacceptable,” cautioning against violations of international law.
Legal experts have also raised concerns that strikes on civilian infrastructure—such as power plants—could constitute war crimes, despite assurances from the White House that US military actions comply with international law.
The International Committee of the Red Cross echoed similar concerns. Its president, Mirjana Spoljaric, warned that deliberate attacks on civilian and nuclear facilities must not become normalised in warfare, citing the potentially irreversible humanitarian consequences.
Iran warns of broader consequences
Iran has warned that further escalation could have global repercussions. In a conversation with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any attack on civilian infrastructure would have far-reaching impacts on global energy markets and the Middle East economy.
He warned that Iran would respond decisively to any such actions, holding the United States and its allies responsible for the conflicts.
Call for international response
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has called on the BRICS grouping to condemn what he described as “unlawful and criminal actions” by the United States and Israel.
While countries such as China and Russia have expressed support for Iran, other members—including India and Egypt—have adopted a more cautious stance, balancing their relations with competing global powers.
As the conflict deepens, divisions within the international community underscore the challenges of forging a unified diplomatic response.
