By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Iran has formally rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal aimed at halting the five-week-old conflict with Israel and the United States. Tehran insists on a permanent end to hostilities and binding security guarantees. The rejection, conveyed through Pakistani mediators on Monday, comes as a high-stakes ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump is set to expire.
Tehran Demands Permanent Guarantees
State-run news agency IRNA confirmed the Iranian government is not interested in temporary pauses. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that a 45-day ceasefire would only allow adversaries to “pause and prepare for the continuation of the war.” “We are calling for an end to the war and for preventing its recurrence,” Baghaei said. He further questioned how U.S. mediation could be credible while attacks continue.
White House: “Operation Epic Fury” Continues
While a White House official told Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) that President Trump has not formally signed off on the 45-day ceasefire proposal, the President offered a more optimistic assessment Monday morning. Speaking from the South Lawn during the Easter Egg Roll, Trump called the latest proposal a “significant step.” “It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump told reporters. “They’re negotiating now… We’ll see what happens.” Despite these comments, an administration official emphasized that “Operation Epic Fury continues” until a final agreement is reached. The President is scheduled to lead a press conference at 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT) to provide further details.
Trump: “Take the Oil”
In separate remarks at the Easter event, President Trump suggested a shift in long-term strategy. He stated that if the choice were his, he would “take the oil” from Iran. “Take the oil, because it’s there for the taking,” Trump said. He noted the American public wants troops to “come home,” but argued that keeping the oil would generate significant revenue. He compared the situation to Venezuela, noting the U.S. is currently refining 100 million barrels of Venezuelan oil in Houston (approx. 1.1 billion GHS).
Trump Issues Infrastructure Ultimatum
The diplomatic impasse coincides with a tightening White House deadline. In a profanity-laced post on Sunday, President Trump warned that the U.S. would begin strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants unless Tehran agreed to “open the Fuckin’ Strait” by Tuesday night. His message that Tuesday “will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one,” effectively served as a tacit extension of a previous 10-day pause. The final deadline is 8 p.m. ET Tuesday (12 a.m. GMT Wednesday).
Intensified Strikes on Tehran and Infrastructure
The IDF confirmed a “large-scale wave of strikes” overnight targeting Iranian air force assets at Bahram, Mehrabad, and Azmayesh airports. On the ground, an NBC News producer reported 50 explosions in Tehran between 2 a.m. and 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. and 1 p.m. GMT). In addition to a university and two petrochemical plants, Israel struck the South Pars complex at Asaluyeh. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the facility accounts for 50% of Iran’s petrochemical production. The strike is estimated to cost Iran “tens of billions of dollars” (approx. 110 billion GHS).
IRGC Claims Attack on U.S. Naval Vessel
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims to have struck a U.S. amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier (LHA7). According to state media, the strike forced the vessel to “retreat deep” into the southern Indian Ocean. The U.S. has not yet confirmed the attack or commented on the regime’s claims.
High-Profile Assassinations Shake IRGC
Israeli and U.S. forces conducted a massive wave of attacks on Monday. The IDF announced it had “eliminated” Asghar Bagheri, Commander of the Quds Force’s Special Operations Unit. “Bagheri… was involved in attacks targeting Israeli and American individuals worldwide,” the IDF stated. This followed the assassination of Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, head of IRGC intelligence, earlier Monday morning.
Humanitarian Toll and International Warnings
The conflict is devastating civilian populations. Six children under the age of ten were among 25 people killed in overnight strikes. Iran’s health ministry reported that eight hospitals have been evacuated, with 216 health centers damaged. In Haifa, Israel, four bodies were recovered after a ballistic missile struck a residential building. European Council President António Costa labeled the targeting of energy facilities “illegal and unacceptable,” urging President Masoud Pezeshkian to seek a “diplomatic solution.”
Global Economic Volatility
U.S. gas prices have risen to an average of $4.12 per gallon (approx. 45.36 GHS). Shipping volume in the Strait of Hormuz remains at 5% of pre-war levels. Tracking data showed Qatari natural gas tankers turning back Monday before attempting the crossing. While oil prices dipped slightly—Brent crude at $108.1 (approx. 1,190 GHS) and WTI at $110.2 (approx. 1,213 GHS)—they remain elevated following Trump’s warning that the U.S. would hit Iran “extremely hard.”
West African Security and Geopolitical Aftershocks
The escalation is resonating across West Africa. The Ghana-UK Trade Partnership Agreement (TPA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) face potential disruptions. The shift in U.S. military focus toward the Middle East raises concerns regarding security cooperation in the Sahel. Diplomatic sources in Accra suggest a protracted conflict could destabilize democratic transitions by exacerbating inflation and fuel shortages across the ECOWAS bloc.
The Path Toward Total Escalation
The rejection of the 45-day pause marks a critical pivot point. The Red Cross stated that threats against civilian infrastructure “must not become the new norm.” With both sides prioritizing military leverage over diplomacy, the coming hours will determine if the conflict enters a de-escalation phase or a devastating new chapter of industrial warfare.
