US-Iran Secretly Pushing for 45-Day Ceasefire, Trump's Hellfire Averted?
The United States, Iran, and several regional mediators are discussing the terms of a 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent end to the war.
Behind the scenes, four sources familiar with the diplomatic efforts, as reported by Axios on Monday (6/4/2026), said the negotiations are being conducted through mediators Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, as well as via text messages between Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
A US official said the Trump administration has conveyed several proposals to Iran in recent days, but none have been accepted so far. The mediators are reportedly discussing a two-phase agreement.
The first phase involves a 45-day ceasefire, during which negotiations to permanently end the war will take place. The ceasefire could be extended if more time is needed. The second phase is a final agreement to end the war.
The sources also indicated that the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resolution of Iran’s highly enriched uranium, either through removal abroad or dilution, would likely only result from the final agreement.
The mediators are now working on confidence-building steps that Iran could take regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
Both issues are Iran’s main bargaining chips in the negotiations, and according to two sources, Iran will not fully relinquish them just for a 45-day ceasefire. The mediators are exploring whether Iran can take partial steps on both issues in the initial phase of the agreement.
The mediators are also examining steps the Trump administration could take to assure Iran that the ceasefire is not temporary and that the war will not resume. Iranian officials have emphasised to the mediators that they do not want to be trapped in a situation like in Gaza or Lebanon, where a ceasefire is only on paper while attacks can resume at any time.
The mediators are also addressing other steps from the US side to meet some of Iran’s demands. The White House declined to comment on the talks.
Meanwhile, a source directly familiar with the situation said the mediators are deeply concerned that Iran’s retaliation against US-Israeli strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure would have a destructive impact on oil and water facilities in Gulf states.
The mediators have warned Iranian officials that there is no more time for additional negotiating tactics and stressed that the next 48 hours represent the last chance to reach an agreement and prevent major destruction.
However, at least publicly, Iranian officials are maintaining a hardline stance and rejecting concessions. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy stated on Sunday that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz “will never return” to what it was before the war, especially for the US and Israel.
This development comes ahead of the end of the 10-day deadline given by US President Donald Trump to Iran. The deadline was originally expected to end on Monday evening, but on Sunday Trump extended it by 20 hours and announced a new deadline until Tuesday at 8:00 PM Eastern Time via Truth Social.
Trump told Axios that the United States is “in deep negotiations” with Iran and a deal could be reached before the deadline expires.
“There is a good chance, but if they do not make a deal, I will destroy everything there,” he said.
Trump also threatened to destroy vital infrastructure for Iranian civilians if no agreement is reached. Such attacks could be categorised as war crimes, and Iran has threatened to retaliate by striking infrastructure in Israel and Gulf states.
Two sources said operational plans for a massive US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran’s energy facilities are ready, but Trump’s deadline extension is intended to provide a final opportunity to achieve an agreement.