The US, Iran, and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war, US-based digital news outlet Axios reported on Sunday.
The outlet cited four US, Israeli, and regional sources with knowledge of the talks. They said the negotiations are taking place through Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators, as well as through text messages exchanged between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi.
The sources described the chances of reaching a partial deal within the next 48 hours as “slim.”
According to Axios, Iranian officials have made it clear to mediators that they do not want to be caught in a situation similar to Gaza or Lebanon, where a truce exists on paper but the US and Israel can resume attacks at any time.
However, Donald Trump has set a Tuesday deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face “hell,” saying the US would target Iranian power plants and bridges. Iran has said it will respond “in kind” to any attacks on its infrastructure, with senior officials condemning the US president’s remarks as “incitement to war crimes.”