Iran rejects ceasefire proposal, wants definitive end to war

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, state media reported Monday, despite a stark threat by US President Donald Trump to destroy its vital infrastructure.

"Iran has conveyed to Pakistan its response to the American proposal to end the war," the news agency IRNA said, without revealing its source or what the US offer contained.

"In this response - set out in ten points - Iran... has rejected a ceasefire and insists on the need for a definitive end to the conflict."

Several countries are trying to find a diplomatic solution to end 38 days of war sparked by Israeli and US attacks against Iran, which has responded by firing missiles at targets across the Middle East.

Trump warned on Sunday that unless Tehran agreed by Tuesday evening to allow free passage to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, he would order strikes on its power plants and bridges.

But IRNA said Tehran had countered with demands of its own, including "an end to conflicts in the region, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and the lifting of sanctions".

Trump later reiterated his threats on Monday, saying at a White House press conference: "The entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night."

"I hope I don't have to do it," Trump added.

He said the US has a plan "where every bridge in Iran will be decimated" by midnight EDT (0400 GMT) Wednesday and "where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again."

"I mean, complete demolition - by 12 o'clock, and it'll happen over a period of four hours if we want it to. We don't want that to happen," he said.

In response, the spokesperson for the Iranian army's Khatam Al-Anbiya central command said: "The rude, arrogant rhetoric and baseless threats of the delusional US president... have no effect on the continuation of the offensive and crushing operations of the warriors of Islam against the American and Zionist enemies."