WASHINGTON, United States — 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 at the White House, adding that intermediaries "are negotiating now."

 

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, insisting "on the need for a definitive end to the conflict," state news agency IRNA reported Monday.

 

Iran has rejected a proposed truce in its war with the United States and Israel, state media reported Monday, despite a stark threat by 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 also said that the United States attempted to arm Iranian protesters but the weapons were diverted and never passed to the right people.

 

Trump said the armaments were meant to help anti-government protesters fight back against the authorities.

 

"We sent guns, a lot of guns, they were supposed to go to the people so they could fight back against these thugs," Trump told reporters while at a White House Easter event.

 

"You know what happened? The people that they sent them to kept them," Trump went on, adding: "So I'm very upset with a certain group of people, and they're going to pay a big price for that."

 

Trump did not give details about who he was accusing of taking the US weapons.

 

However, on Sunday, Trump was quoted as saying by a Fox News reporter that he blamed Kurdish intermediaries for having taken weapons destined for Iranian dissidents.