As the deadline set by President Donald Trump for Iran to agree to a ceasefire with the United States approaches at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, mediators are actively working to bridge significant gaps between the two nations. Multiple sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that time is running short.
In a bid to facilitate a resolution, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, one of the primary mediators, publicly urged President Trump to extend the negotiation period. He emphasized the importance of allowing diplomatic efforts to continue, stating, “Diplomatic efforts for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are advancing steadily and could yield meaningful results soon. I sincerely request President Trump to consider extending the deadline by two weeks.”
Additionally, Sharif called on Iran to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a gesture of goodwill. According to a U.S. official, this suggestion aligns with potential confidence-building measures being discussed privately, although it remains uncertain whether either side will accept such terms.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump is aware of Sharif’s proposal and that a response will be forthcoming. In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump expressed that he would receive a full briefing on the matter and referred to Sharif as a “highly respected man.” When inquired about his thoughts on the negotiations, Trump remarked, “I can’t say much right now as we are in intense negotiations.”
The Iranian government’s reaction to Pakistan’s request has not been disclosed as of yet. Prior to Sharif’s public appeal, two U.S. officials cautioned that, despite some signs of progress, significant differences remain between the Trump administration and the Iranian regime regarding fundamental issues, raising doubts about the feasibility of reaching an agreement within the tight timeframe.
These officials noted that even if there are signs of progress, it might encourage Trump to consider extending the deadline or possibly tempering his earlier threats, which included a stark warning that Iran’s “whole civilization will die tonight.” However, the ultimate decision rests with the president. Earlier on Tuesday, the White House affirmed that the deadline remains firm, with Leavitt stating, “The Iranian regime has until 8 PM Eastern Time to respond and enter into a deal with the United States. Only the President knows the current status and his intended actions.”
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a critical objective for U.S. officials, who assert that any agreement must result in immediate advancements regarding this issue, emphasizing that Iran cannot impose tolls on vessels navigating this crucial shipping route. Mediators are exploring whether both sides might find common ground on confidence-building measures related to the waterway, but as of early Tuesday afternoon, they had yet to achieve a compromise.
Such a proposal might reflect Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s suggestions, envisioning a narrowly focused agreement that would see the Strait of Hormuz fully opened for a specific period in exchange for a ceasefire, although acceptance of these terms remains uncertain.
Regarding the state of negotiations with Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for updates later in the day, labeling Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz as a critical global concern. He stated, “The entire world has been adversely affected due to Iran’s violations of international laws by attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. This regime does not adhere to laws or rules and is recognized as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, making their current actions unsurprising.”
Iran, valuing the Strait of Hormuz highly, has indicated both publicly and in negotiations that it is hesitant to concede any leverage over the waterway. After mediators presented a ceasefire proposal to both parties on Monday, Tehran rejected the plan and proposed its own terms, which included fully opening the Strait of Hormuz while dictating passage regulations and imposing a toll of $2 million per vessel—an arrangement the Trump administration has deemed unacceptable.
This report includes contributions from ABC News’ Fritz Farrow.
