US, Iran and mediators in talks for potential 45-day ceasefire – Sky News Australia

The US, Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the conflict.
The US, Iran, and regional mediators are negotiating a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war.
The mediators are discussing the terms of a two-phase deal, Axios reported on Monday.
The deal’s first phase would be a potential 45-day ceasefire during which a permanent end to the war would be negotiated.
The second phase would be an agreement on ending the war, the report said.
The ceasefire could be extended if additional time is required for talks.
The White House and the US State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal on Sunday that his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on critical infrastructure is Tuesday evening.
On Sunday, he unleashed an extraordinary, expletive-laden attack on Iran’s leadership, warning they will be “living in hell” unless they reopen the vital waterway.
The President also repeated his threat to strike Iranian power plants, a move Tehran has warned would be met with severe consequences.
“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F**kin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote.
US Representative Jake Auchincloss, a Massachusetts Democrat and US Marine Corps veteran, told Fox News “Iran recognizes that, in fact, their control over the Strait is even more strategically vital to them than the development of a nuclear weapon.”
Thirteen US service members have died, and hundreds of others have been wounded throughout the Middle East since the US and Israel launched the war more than a month ago.
The average US gasoline price hit $4.11 a gallon on Sunday, according to AAA, up from below $3 when strikes on Iran began.
In Australia, hundreds of service stations have reported shortages of diesel and petrol in recent days.
The nation’s fuel stocks as of Saturday were 39 days’ (1.7b/l) worth of petrol, 29 days (1.7b/l) of diesel and 30 days (2.6b/l) of jet fuel.
The government has slashed the national fuel levy, installed a fuel supply coordinator, and set the consumer watchdog on Australian petrol companies as it aims to address shortages.
– With Reuters
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