The US, Iran and a group of mediators are in discussion for pushing for more than a month-long ceasefire in the Middle East. According to the Axios report, quoting four US, Israeli, and regional sources without naming them, said the discussion is ongoing for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war.
This comes after the US President Donald Trump gave a 48-hour deadline to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or the US will "hit and obliterate" Tehran's power grids and other infrastructure if it fails within the time limit.
Also Read | Trump uses profanity, religious rhetoric to vent fury over Iran war.
Meanwhile, in the latest social media post, Trump signalled a possible extension of the deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial waterway through which 20% of the world's oil passes. Trump posted "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!" on social media on Sunday.
Chances Are Slim
Chances for reaching a ceasefire for the next 48 hours are looking slim, said sources to Axios. But this last ditch is the only chance to prevent a major escalation between the US, Israel and Iran war that could destroy Iranian infrastructure, including energy and water facilities in the Gulf states.
Trump's 10-day deadline to Iran was to end on Monday evening, April 6. However, Trump extended his deadline by 20 hours, as he hinted on Truth Social to Tuesday at 8 pm ET.
While speaking to Axios on Sunday, Trump said the US is "in deep negotiations" with Iran and that a deal can be reached before his deadline expires on Tuesday. "There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there," he said.
The plan for intensifying attacks in Iran by the US-Israel was ready, but was put on hold after Trump extended the deadline and gave one more push to reach the ceasefire deal, as per two sources, reported Axios.
Sources told Axios that the mediators are from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, and also through the next text message sent between Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
2 Phase of Negotiations
There are two-phase deals that are being discussed with the parties (Iran, US, Israel). The first phase would be a potential 45-day ceasefire during which a permanent end to the war would be negotiated. The ceasefire could be extended if more time were needed for talks, one of the sources said.
The second Phase deal would be an agreement on ending the war. According to sources, mediators believe that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a solution for Iran's highly enriched Uranium - either removal from the country or dilution could only result in a final deal.
Also Read | US-Israel airstrike destroys Red Crescent recue vehicle in Iran.
The mediators want to see whether Iran could take a partial step on both issues in the first phase of the deal. They are also working on steps the Trump administration could take to give Iran guarantees that the ceasefire will not be temporary and that the war will not resume.
However, the sources said these two issues are Tehran's main bargaining points in the negotiations and the Iranians will not agree fully to give up on them for only 45 days of ceasefire. Iranian officials already told mediators that they don't want to be caught in a Gaza or Lebanon situation where there is a ceasefire on paper, but that the US and Israel can attack again whenever they want to.