Axios: Mediators propose a 10-day truce to the US and Iran.
elchi reports that US President Donald Trump is choosing between a 10-day truce with Iran, as proposed by regional mediators, and a further escalation of the conflict.
The publication notes that US and Israeli officials see only two possible options: a new 10-day truce to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, or a full-scale US-Israeli military campaign aimed at forcing Tehran to surrender.
“Trump has not yet made a decision. But officials believe that the next few days will determine which path will prevail, as there are almost no options left to conduct a long-term, intractable conflict that paralyzes the Persian Gulf,” the media outlet writes.
Two sources told Axios that Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and other regional mediators have presented a 10-day ceasefire proposal to the US and Iran. US officials said the Trump administration is considering the proposal and that Washington has urged Israel to refrain from steps that could close the window for diplomacy.
In addition, the publication notes that regional mediators are rushing to break the “cycle of retaliation” that becomes more destructive, expensive, and difficult to contain with each attack. A new ceasefire agreement would halt military operations, reopen both shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and give Washington and Tehran a “chance to save the collapsed memorandum of understanding.” During the 10-day ceasefire, the parties are expected to negotiate a long-term agreement regulating passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have informed the US and Iran that we are proposing a cooling-off period,” a regional source said.
Meanwhile, Washington is preparing for the possibility that the talks will fail. The publication emphasized that Trump and Iran have not yet accepted the proposal, and both sides appear “determined” to strengthen their positions by launching more strikes.
Journalists noted that “In recent days, the US military has deployed dozens of fighter jets and tankers to the region, gathering the forces needed for a major escalation. Israeli sources say the IDF is on high alert and is preparing for the war to turn into a full-scale coordinated campaign within a few days.”
An Axios source in the region said the White House might continue bombing Iran for a few more days before seriously considering the ceasefire proposal. A senior US official also confirmed that talks are ongoing, but that Trump has not yet finalized retaliatory measures against Iran.
“The president is focused on ensuring that Iran pays for violating the memorandum of understanding and for the ongoing terror attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, the president will make Iran pay for the recent loss of American soldiers. These devastating strikes will continue until the president decides otherwise,” the official told Axios.
Since the US-Iran ceasefire was broken, the Americans have attacked the Islamic Republic for ten consecutive nights. On July 17, Iran threatened to launch an attack and “annihilation phase” if the US continues its strikes.
On July 20, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran had received a proposal from America through mediators to de-escalate tensions and establish a ceasefire. Prior to this, The Washington Post reported that the US was on the verge of returning to a full-scale war with Iran.
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