‘We’re going to continue with the mission unabated’: Trump administration rejects Iran ceasefire proposal

Several countries have tried to mediate an end to the conflict, but neither Washington nor Tehran has shown willingness to move toward a ceasefire.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump has declined attempts by Middle Eastern allies to begin diplomatic negotiations aimed at ending the war with Iran that began two weeks ago with a large U.S.-Israeli air assault, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

A senior White House official confirmed that the administration has rejected efforts to start talks and intends to continue military operations against Tehran.

“He’s not interested in that right now, and we’re going to continue with the mission unabated. Maybe there’s a day, but not right now,” the official said.

Reuters reported that several countries have tried to mediate an end to the conflict, but neither Washington nor Tehran has shown willingness to move toward a ceasefire.

Two senior Iranian sources said Iran will not consider halting the fighting unless U.S. and Israeli airstrikes stop and Tehran’s conditions are met, including a permanent end to attacks and compensation as part of a ceasefire agreement.

Oman, which helped facilitate negotiations before the war, has repeatedly attempted to reopen communication channels, but two sources said the White House indicated it was not interested.

Egypt has also tried to restore contacts between the sides, according to three security and diplomatic sources, although those efforts have not produced progress.

One source said Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attempted to use Oman as an intermediary for potential ceasefire discussions that could have involved U.S. Vice President JD Vance, but those talks did not develop.

The diplomatic stalemate comes as military operations continue.

U.S. strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, were carried out Friday night.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and threatened to increase attacks on neighboring countries.

The conflict has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran, and halted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.