Iran ceasefire proposal ‘very significant step’ – Trump

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has studied a proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in the Iran war, a move he called a “very significant step” in the conflict.

“It’s a significant proposal, it’s a significant step. It’s not good enough, but it’s a very significant step,” Trump told reporters on the sidelines of an Easter Egg Roll event at the White House.

“They are negotiating now,” he added. “We’ll see what happens.”

Earlier in the day the White House confirmed there was a deal under consideration for a 45-day ceasefire with Iran, but that Trump had “not signed off” on the proposal and is continuing the war.

“This is one of many ideas, and POTUS (Trump) has not signed off on it. Operation Epic Fury continues,” a White House official told AFP, adding that the president will speak more on the conflict at a press conference scheduled for 1:00 pm (1700 GMT).

Around the same time, Iran state media reported that Tehran has rejected a truce to end the war that they labeled as an “American proposal.”

“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,” the news agency IRNA said.

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.

At the White House event, Trump — under the gaze of First Lady Melania Trump and a mascot dressed as a giant Easter bunny — spoke about Iran’s military.

“That enemy is strong. Not so strong like they were about a month ago, I can tell you,” Trump said. “In fact, right now they’re not too strong at all in my opinion, but we’re soon going to find out, aren’t we?”

Trump also said that if it were up to him, he would seize Iran’s oil, but that “unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home” and end the war.

“I’d keep the oil, and I would make plenty of money,” Trump said.

AFP