Report: Iranian mediators making final efforts to reach a 45-day ceasefire agreement

The United States, Iran, and regional mediators are engaged in a final diplomatic push for a phased ceasefire plan, representing the current path to avoid a sharp escalation of the war and prevent massive damage to Middle East energy infrastructure. According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump believed it was "highly likely" to reach an agreement with Iran before April 7th. Later, CCTV News reported that Trump posted a brief message on social media: "Tuesday (April 7th) 8 PM Eastern Time!" Public opinion suggests this appears to be Trump extending his so-called "deadline" for Iran once again. According to Axios, citing informed sources, the US and Iran are currently negotiating the specific terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire agreement, which aims to pave the way for an eventual end to the war. Sources indicate that the possibility of reaching a partial agreement within the next 48 hours remains slim, but this effort is the only chance to avoid escalation. Two sources stated that joint US-Israeli operational plans for a massive bombing of Iranian energy facilities are on standby, but emphasized that the extension is intended to provide a final opportunity for negotiations. Upon the release of this news, Brent crude oil's intraday gain narrowed to 0.55%. Two-Phase Plan: Ceasefire for Time, Final Agreement Pending Mediators are discussing a two-phase agreement framework with all parties: the first phase involves a potential 45-day ceasefire period, during which all parties will negotiate to permanently end the war, and this ceasefire can be extended if more time is needed for negotiations; the second phase is the formal end-of-war agreement. This mediation effort is being advanced by Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey as intermediaries, while direct communication channels are being maintained via text messages between Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A US official stated that the Trump administration has recently presented multiple proposals to Iran, but Iranian officials have not accepted any of them so far. Strait of Hormuz and Highly Enriched Uranium: Iran's Core Bargaining Chips Mediators are currently exploring confidence-building measures that Iran could take around two core issues: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the disposition of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile – the latter involving its removal from Iran or dilution. These two issues are Iran's primary bargaining chips in the negotiations, and Iran will not agree to completely relinquish these cards solely for a 45-day ceasefire. The current focus of the mediators is to assess whether Iran can take partial steps on both issues during the first phase of the agreement, while also exploring what measures the Trump administration can take to assure Iran that the ceasefire will not be merely nominal and the war will not restart. Iranian officials have clearly stated to the mediators that they do not wish to repeat the Gaza or Lebanon scenarios – where a ceasefire agreement exists in name but can be violated by the US and Israel at any moment. Mediators Warn: 48 Hours May Be the Final Window Mediators are highly concerned about the destructive consequences that could arise from retaliatory strikes by Iran on the oil and water infrastructure of Gulf states, following potential US-Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Mediators have directly informed Iranian officials that there is no room for further delay in negotiations, and the next 48 hours represent the last chance to reach an agreement and prevent massive destruction. However, Iran's official public stance remains tough, rejecting any form of concession. The Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on Sunday that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will "never" return to its pre-war state, especially for the United States and Israel.