US and Iran Engage in Talks for 45-Day Ceasefire – Axios

The United States of America and Iran are conducting negotiations through intermediaries concerning the conditions for a possible 45-day ceasefire that may ultimately result in the conclusion of the war. This information has been reported by Axios sources who have access to talks involving the United States, Israel, and the Middle East.

According to the data, the potential agreement is viewed as 'the only chance to prevent a sharp escalation of the war,' which could include massive strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure and corresponding attacks on energy facilities in Gulf countries. However, Axios reports that the chances of reaching an agreement within the next 48 hours are very low.

Four sources have confirmed that the negotiations involve Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish intermediaries, as well as text messages exchanged between the envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

An American official noted that Washington has recently provided Iran with several proposals, but Iranian officials have yet to accept them. The parties are discussing the terms of a two-phase agreement, where the first phase involves a 45-day ceasefire, and the second phase entails a final peace agreement.

The intermediaries believe that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resolving the issue of Iran's highly enriched uranium, either by exporting it from the country or diluting it, could be outcomes of the final agreement. These two issues are considered 'key trump cards' for Iran in the negotiations, and the Iranian side is unlikely to agree to completely abandon them solely for the sake of a 45-day ceasefire, as reported by two Axios sources.

The intermediaries are working to ensure that both sides provide guarantees for the implementation of the potential agreement. Iranian officials have expressed concerns about not wanting to find themselves in a situation similar to that in Gaza or Lebanon, where ceasefires 'exist only on paper,' and the U.S. and Israel could strike at any moment.

According to Axios, Middle Eastern intermediaries have expressed serious concerns that Iran's response to a large-scale U.S.-Israeli strike on the country's energy infrastructure could be devastating for the oil and water facilities of Gulf countries.

The intermediaries have warned Iranian officials that there is no time for further negotiations, and the next 48 hours represent the last opportunity to reach an agreement that would help avoid mass destruction, as noted in the report.

On March 26, Trump stated that at Tehran's request, he postponed strikes on Iranian energy facilities for ten days—until Monday, April 6, 2026. The Iranian Foreign Ministry labeled this White House statement as 'false and unfounded.'

On April 5, Donald Trump issued a new ultimatum to Iran, giving Tehran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He expressed strong sentiments and threatened to strike Iran's power plants and bridges if an agreement was not reached.

In response, Tehran stated that in the event of further U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure, 'the gates of hell' would open for the U.S. and Israel. According to CNN, Iran declared that it would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz only after receiving compensation for the financial damages incurred due to the war.

Thus, the situation remains tense, and the subsequent actions of both parties could have serious consequences for the region and global security.