This combo shows Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, and Steve Witkoff, right, White House special envoy. AP
Egyptian, Pakistani, and Turkish mediators put forward the proposal, hoping the 45-day period would give enough time for talks to reach a permanent ceasefire, two Middle Eastern officials told The Associated Press anonymously.
The war US-Israeli war on Iran, which began on 28 February, has killed thousands, shaken global markets, disrupted key shipping routes, and raised fuel prices.
The ceasefire could be extended if more time is needed for talks, Axios reported, citing four US, Israeli, and regional sources.
Mediators believe that fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resolving the issue of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, either by removing it from the country or diluting it, would likely only be achieved as part of a final agreement, sources said.
Iran and the US have not responded to the proposal, which was sent to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, officials said.
It remains unclear whether the two sides will agree to its terms. Iran has insisted it will keep fighting until it receives financial compensation and guarantees that it will not be attacked again.
According to Axios, Iranian officials told mediators they do not want a situation like in Gaza or Lebanon, where a ceasefire exists on paper but the US and Israel can resume attacks at any time.
Mediators are also working on other steps the US could take to build trust and address some of Iran’s demands.
US President Donald Trump told Axios on Sunday that the US is “in deep negotiations” with Iran and that a deal could be reached before his Tuesday deadline.
“There is a good chance, but if they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there,” he said.
Trump has threatened to strike Iran’s critical infrastructure if the government does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline.
He repeated the threat with profanity in a social media post, saying Tuesday would be “Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.”
If carried out, such attacks could constitute war crimes. Iran has also threatened to retaliate by targeting infrastructure in Israel and Gulf states.
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