The United States, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms of a possible 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war, Axios newspaper reported on Sunday night (5), citing four American, Israeli and government sources in the region familiar with the negotiations.
Mediators are discussing the terms of a two-phase agreement, according to the report, which adds that the first phase would be a possible 45-day ceasefire, during which it would be .
The second phase would be an agreement to end the war, according to the document.
According to the report, the ceasefire could be extended if more time is needed for negotiations.
US President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that his deadline for Iran to face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday night.
What is happening in the Middle East?
The United States and Israel are at war with Iran. The conflict began on February 28, when a coordinated attack between the two countries killed the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
Several high-ranking officials of the Iranian regime were also killed. In addition, the US claims to have destroyed dozens of the country’s ships, as well as air defense systems, planes and other military targets.
In retaliation, the ayatollah regime carried out attacks against several countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Oman. Iranian officials say they are targeting only U.S. and Israeli interests in those nations.
More than 1,750 civilians have died in Iran since the start of the war, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The White House, in turn, recorded at least 13 deaths of American soldiers in direct relation to the Iranian attacks.
The conflict also expanded into Lebanon. Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran, attacked Israeli territory in retaliation for the death of Ali Khamenei. As a result, Israel has carried out aerial offensives against what it says are Hezbollah targets in the neighboring country. Hundreds of people have died on Lebanese territory since then.
With the death of much of its leadership, an Iranian council elected one: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei. Experts point out that he will not make structural changes and represents continuity of repression.
Donald Trump showed dissatisfaction with this choice, classifying it as a “big mistake”. He had said that he would need to be involved in the process and said that Mojtaba would be “unacceptable” to Iran’s leadership.
