Iran was the driving force behind a ceasefire proposal now being advanced by regional mediators, seeking a 10-day pause in hostilities between Tehran and Washington, according to an exclusive report published Monday by The Jerusalem Post, citing two sources familiar with the negotiations.
The revelation that Tehran itself initiated the proposal underscores the urgency with which Iran is seeking relief as US military strikes continue to expand and President Donald Trump weighs a return to full-scale military operations against the Islamic Republic, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Strait of Hormuz at the Heart of Crisis
According to the Jerusalem Post sources, the proposed 10-day ceasefire is designed to open a window for resolving the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz — the flashpoint that triggered the current crisis following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed last month. Both Tehran and Washington subsequently declared the agreement no longer in force.
A coalition of mediators — including senior Qatari, Egyptian, Omani, and Pakistani officials — has presented the proposal to the United States and has introduced additional elements during discussions with both sides, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Among the ideas under consideration is the creation of a "middle corridor" through the Strait of Hormuz, situated between Omani-controlled and Iranian-controlled waters, through which commercial vessels could transit safely.
US Demands Longer Pause, Pre-Conditions
However, The Jerusalem Post reported that the United States is currently demanding a longer ceasefire period than the 10 days proposed by Iran. Washington also insists on reaching at least partial understandings regarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz before any ceasefire takes effect, with remaining details to be finalized during the pause.
One source told The Jerusalem Post that at least some officials within the Trump administration have dismissed the Iranian proposal as "absurd" and "illogical."
Trump: Iran Must "Pay a Price"
A US official told The Jerusalem Post that President Trump remains focused on ensuring Iran "pays a price" for its violations of the memorandum of understanding and for the deaths of American service members.
"The president will also ensure that Iran pays for the recent deaths of US soldiers. These devastating blows will continue until the president decides otherwise, but talks between our countries are continuing," the official told The Jerusalem Post.
Trump is expected to attend a ceremony on Tuesday marking the repatriation of the bodies of American service members killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan and Iraq.
Israel Watches from the Sidelines
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security consultation on Monday that stretched over five and a half hours, concluding at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Following the marathon session, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated that "the State of Israel has no interest in joining the conflict between Iran and the US; maintaining the status quo is our best option."