Trump considers Iran ceasefire as mediators race to end escalating conflict | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump and senior US officials are considering their next steps as the conflict with Iran reaches what officials describe as a “tipping point”.
According to Axios, US and Israeli officials believe the crisis is heading in one of two directions: a proposed 10-day truce aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz or a large-scale joint US-Israeli military campaign aimed at forcing Tehran to make concessions.
Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and other regional mediators have reportedly submitted a 10-day ceasefire proposal to both the US and Iran. US officials said the Trump administration was evaluating the offer while urging Israel to avoid actions that could derail diplomatic efforts.
At the same time, Washington is preparing both for diplomacy and for the next conflict. The United States has deployed dozens of fighter jets and refueling planes to the Middle East amid intensifying fighting. Meanwhile, Israeli officials said the IDF remained on alert amid fears the conflict could escalate into a wider military campaign within days.
After 10 days of escalating attacks, at least three US service members were reportedly killed. Oil prices briefly climbed above $90 a barrel as Iranian attacks targeted Gulf energy infrastructure, raising concerns about global energy supplies.
Regional mediators are scrambling to prevent further escalation. The proposed ceasefire would halt hostilities, reopen key shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz and create space for renewed negotiations.
Officials are also discussing longer-term measures to protect maritime traffic. One proposal would allow Iran to collect “reasonable service charges”, similar to the systems used in the Malacca Strait by Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Another proposal would see the fees paid into a jointly managed fund involving the International Maritime Organization.
Neither side has yet accepted the ceasefire proposal. Officials familiar with the discussions said both Iran and the US appeared determined to strengthen their negotiating positions before committing to a ceasefire.
One regional source, cited by Axios, said the pace of a truce picked up over the weekend but stalled after an Iranian missile attack in Jordan reportedly killed two US service members, prompting Washington to withdraw from the talks.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that talks were underway, but declined to comment on their details during a press briefing on Monday.
The US is expected to continue strikes against Iran for several more days in response to the deaths of its service members, according to a regional source, while Iran has indicated it will “respond with force”.
