{
  "id": 1836953,
  "title": "Iran rejects new ceasefire, demands permanent end to conflict as Hormuz standoff drives oil prices higher",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/iran-rejects-new-ceasefire-demands-permanent-end-to-conflict-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T23:13:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/iran-rejects-new-ceasefire-demands-permanent-end-to-conflict-as-hormuz-standoff-drives-oil-prices-higher-1.500645158"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian officials and analysts report that Iran is refusing a new temporary ceasefire with the United States, instead insisting on a permanent end to the conflict. The 60-day interval under the Iran-US interim peace deal has concluded without any progress. Washington has likewise rejected an extension to the agreement, stating that Iran has a limited window to fulfill its obligations before further discussions commence. The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 17 by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a 60-day period for negotiations covering the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, and sanctions. However, both sides have accused each other of violations and failed to extend the deadline. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi referred to the document as \"the end of the war, not a ceasefire,\" and stated that Tehran has not yet determined to resume direct negotiations. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US lifts its naval blockade, removes oil sanctions, releases frozen assets, and ends military threats. Ghalibaf also accused the US of believing that \"squeezing Iran harder will win concessions that were never part of the agreement.\" Trump claimed there are \"no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled\" with Iran, contradicting Tehran's claim that the strait is open. The interim deal has rapidly deteriorated since its signing, with attacks on ships using the Oman route blamed on the IRGC, and Iran suspending the deal shortly thereafter. Fighting has escalated at a lower intensity, disrupting shipping through Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab strait, and causing oil prices to rise. Analysts note that the current stances leave little room for immediate diplomacy, with Iran unwilling to accept another short-term pause and Washington seeking enhanced leverage through tighter economic pressure or reinforced blockades before engaging in a permanent settlement.",
  "summary": "Iran is rejecting another temporary ceasefire with the US and is instead demanding a \"permanent end\" to the conflict, according to Iranian officials and analysts monitoring the stalled diplomacy. The 60-day period associated with the Iran-US interim peace deal ended without a breakthrough. Washington, in turn, also rejected an extension while a senior Iranian official said the US had a few weeks…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}