On the 39th day of the war on Iran, field tensions have escalated, with cautious expectations for the coming hours. Despite ongoing strikes, the chances of reaching a political settlement appear to be declining, although mediation efforts led by several parties, including Pakistan, continue.
Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad, Reza Amirmohammadi, confirmed that mediation efforts are approaching a critical stage. In parallel, Tehran rejected proposals for a temporary cease-fire, insisting instead on a permanent end to the war, the lifting of sanctions, and new arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports indicated that US President Donald Trump had signaled an unprecedented escalation, threatening energy stations and bridges and asserting that the US could “destroy Iran completely” if demands were not met. Militarily, explosions were reported in Tehran and its suburbs, while the Israeli army announced strikes on infrastructure targets, coinciding with the interception of rockets fired from Iranian territory.
The Israeli military also warned against using trains, a move interpreted as a potential signal to target rail networks as part of broader operations against vital infrastructure.
Iran’s armed forces condemned Trump’s remarks as “arrogant,” stating they would not impact their operations. Amidst the escalation, Iranian civilians are awaiting the expiration of deadlines with growing anxiety.
Regarding negotiations, reports indicate a 45-day cease-fire proposal was discussed to open the door for talks. Tehran deemed this insufficient, while Trump described it as a “step” but “not enough yet.” Additionally, reports suggest Iran is ready to open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for transit fees as part of a broader settlement involving reconstruction and sanctions relief.
