Diplomats from the US, Iran and countries in the region are discussing a possible 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a definitive end to the war in the Middle East, the news website Axios reported yesterday (Sunday), citing its sources in the US and Israeli governments as well as in countries in the region aware of the contacts.
The Reuters news agency notes that it was unable to independently confirm this information. Neither the White House nor the State Department immediately responded when asked for comment on the report by the agency.
The report said the parties are discussing a two-phase agreement, the first of which calls for a 45-day ceasefire, during which time a negotiated final end to the war will be negotiated.
The duration of the ceasefire may be extended if it is deemed necessary for negotiations to bear fruit, according to the Axios report.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump signaled during a telephone interview with the Wall Street Journal yesterday that he is extending Tehran’s deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz until tomorrow Tuesday night, threatening to order the destruction of critical Iranian infrastructure if it does not.
