The United States and Iran are engaged in last-minute efforts, alongside regional mediators, to negotiate the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent end to the war, according to informed sources cited by Axios.
Despite ongoing discussions, sources from the United States, Israel, and the region indicate that the chances of reaching even a partial agreement within the next 48 hours remain limited. However, this window is being treated as a final opportunity to prevent a major escalation that could involve large-scale strikes on civilian infrastructure inside Iran, alongside Iranian retaliation targeting energy and water facilities across Gulf states.
According to the report, a joint US–Israeli operational plan for a wide-scale bombing campaign against Iranian energy infrastructure is already prepared. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump has opted to extend the diplomatic window, granting additional time for negotiations.
Two-Stage Proposal on the Table
Talks are being conducted through mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, alongside direct message exchanges between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The proposed framework consists of two stages. The first involves a temporary 45-day ceasefire, during which negotiations would take place toward a final agreement to end the war. This ceasefire could be extended if additional time is required to reach a comprehensive settlement.
Key issues such as the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile are expected to be addressed in the final phase. Options under discussion include transferring the uranium outside the country or reducing its enrichment levels.
However, these issues remain central leverage points for Iran, and Tehran is not expected to concede them in exchange for a short-term ceasefire alone.
Stalled Responses and Confidence Measures
A US official confirmed that the Trump administration has presented several proposals to Iran in recent days, none of which have been accepted so far.
Mediators are now working to establish confidence-building measures, involving partial steps from Iran in exchange for US guarantees that hostilities will not resume during the ceasefire period.
At the same time, concerns are growing that any US–Israeli strike on Iranian energy infrastructure could trigger a large-scale Iranian response targeting oil and water facilities across Gulf countries.
Sources emphasised that the next 48 hours represent a critical deadline to avoid widespread destruction.
Extended Deadline and Escalation Threats
President Trump stated that “deep negotiations” are underway with Iran, expressing cautious optimism about reaching an agreement before the deadline.
However, he warned that failure to secure a deal would lead to US strikes on critical infrastructure inside Iran.
Trump has extended the negotiation deadline by approximately 20 hours, setting a new cutoff at 8:00 PM Tuesday Eastern Time, marking what may be the final opportunity for diplomacy before escalation.
