Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Explosions Rock Tehran

Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire, even as explosions shook Tehran and tensions rose sharply around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping lane. The conflict, triggered by US–Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has spread rapidly across the Middle East, disrupting energy markets worldwide.

Iranian parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Tehran has no interest in halting the conflict. “Certainly we aren’t seeking a ceasefire,” he wrote on social media, adding that “the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson to deter them from attacking Iran again.” The Pentagon confirmed that Tuesday saw its most intense wave of strikes inside Iran since the conflict began, deploying “the most fighters and the most bombers” to date. In response, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards launched fresh missile barrages on Israeli cities and US military targets, while explosions were also reported in Manama, Bahrain.

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The crisis has centred on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20–25% of the world’s oil exports transit. Iranian attacks on shipping and threats to block the strait have already forced a halt in tanker traffic. US President Donald Trump warned that placing mines in the waterway would provoke military consequences “never seen before,” as US intelligence cited Iran laying explosives in the channel. Energy infrastructure across the Gulf is increasingly at risk. The UAE’s largest refinery at Ruwais shut down temporarily after a drone strike sparked a fire, while Qatari LNG exports have been disrupted, pushing European gas prices higher. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser warned that restoring shipping in the strait is “absolutely critical” to avoid severe global repercussions.

The global economic impact of the conflict is mounting. The United Nations cautioned that continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz could raise the cost of essentials worldwide, particularly fuel and food. In Cairo, residents report that higher fuel prices are already affecting daily life. Analysts warn that the conflict’s ongoing uncertainty could further destabilize global markets, driving oil and gas prices higher while increasing inflationary pressures on essentials.

The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Hundreds of military and civilian casualties have been reported on both sides, with explosions and missile strikes in Tehran and neighboring regions terrifying residents. Despite efforts by other nations to mediate, neither Iran nor the US shows readiness to de-escalate, leaving the Middle East on edge and international markets bracing for further volatility.