US and Iran reviewing ceasefire deal, reports say

The United States and Iran have been presented with a plan for an immediate temporary ceasefire, according to media reports.

Citing an unnamed source, Reuters reported on Monday that Pakistan delivered the proposal to US and Iranian officials, where it is currently under review by both sides of the conflict.

Tentatively dubbed the “Islamabad Accords”, the plan outlines a two-tier approach: an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive agreement to be finalised within 15–20 days.

“All elements need to be agreed today,” the source told Reuters, adding that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, has been in contact “all night long” with US Vice President JD Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

Axios reported on Sunday that regional mediators were discussing the potential for a 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent end to the conflict.

While sources cautioned that the chances of reaching even a partial deal within the next 48 hours are slim, the proposal represents a last-ditch effort to delay US President Donald Trump’s ultimatum. Trump had told Axios, “If they don’t make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there.”

However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that despite Trump’s threats, Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.

The official cited Washington’s lack of readiness for a permanent ceasefire and added that Iran refuses to be pressured into accepting strict deadlines.

Majid Shekeri, former top adviser to Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote on X : “A temporary ceasefire benefits Pakistan, Turkey, and America, and harms Iran. It’s astonishing that they even dare to raise such a thing.”

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Pakistan’s mediation efforts hit a dead end after Iran refused to meet US officials in Islamabad, citing what it called unacceptable American demands.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US-Israeli bombardment of the country, which began over a month ago, cutting off a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supply.

Iran's health ministry has said at least 2,076 people have been killed and 26,500 wounded in US-Israeli attacks, while the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) put the death toll higher at 3,531, including 1,607 civilians and at least 244 children. 

Trump's threats

Reports on the talks come after Trump threatened attacks on bridges and power plants if Iran failed to make a deal and reopen the Strait by Tuesday at 8pm ET.

“Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!" he wrote on Truth Social.

This is not the first time Trump has set and then postponed a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

On 21 March, Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait was not “FULLY OPEN” within 48 hours.

Two days later, he proposed a five-day extension on military strikes, citing “good and productive conversations” with Iran, which the Iranian foreign minister denied, claiming that there had been no contact with the US.

As that end date approached, Trump again delayed, allegedly “as per Iranian Government request”, to give them a 10-day extension which was due to run out on Monday evening.

Trump has also declared victory on Iran at least five times, whilst lashing out at his European allies for a lack of sufficient support and threatening to withdraw from Nato, calling them “cowards”.