TEHRAN, JUL 24: Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal carried to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials.

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The unsuccessful mediation effort came as US President Donald Trump threatened to escalate the war and target Iran’s critical infrastructure, according to the report.

Al-Zaidi was in Tehran on Thursday after visiting the White House earlier this month, where he met Trump. The officials cited by the newspaper, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not disclose the details of the proposal.

Iranian officials reportedly said it was the “only offer on the table” but that Tehran was not interested in a temporary agreement that left the question of control over the Strait of Hormuz unresolved.

The US launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian military targets early Friday, marking the thirteenth night of active combat in the region as President Donald Trump vowed to use frozen Iranian assets to pay for any damage to shipping.