Middle East The US, Iran, and a group of regional mediators are reportedly discussing terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could pave the way for a permanent end to the war, Axios reported, citing four US, Israeli, and regional sources familiar with the talks.

The sources said, “The negotiations are taking place through Pakistani, Egyptian and Turkish mediators and also through text messages sent between Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.”

However, they described the chances of reaching even a partial deal in the next 48 hours as “slim.”

Iranian officials have told mediators that they do not want a scenario similar to Gaza or Lebanon, “where there is a truce on paper but where the US and Israel can attack again whenever they want to.”

The ceasefire talks come as Iran launched fresh attacks across the Middle East on Monday, threatening “devastating” retaliation following US President Donald Trump’s expletive-laced warning that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Israel, Kuwait, and the UAE reported missile and drone strikes early Monday.

Tehran’s central military command warned of “much more devastating” retaliation if its adversaries hit civilian targets. The warning followed Trump’s threat to destroy Iran’s civilian infrastructure, demanding Tehran bow to his conditions to reopen Gulf shipping.

Trump had posted on Truth Social: “Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell.” He later set a new deadline: “Tuesday, 8:00 PM” (0000 GMT Wednesday).

While Christians marked Easter, Trump renewed warnings of air strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, celebrating the rescue of a wounded airman whose fighter jet went down inside Iran. Iranian images showed wreckage of several aircraft, but Tehran did not deny that US forces rescued the officer, who sheltered in a mountainous area while American special forces and Iranian troops raced to find him.

Trump announced the airman’s rescue in a Truth Social post, saying he would hold a news conference on Monday.