U.S. and Iran discussing ceasefire for reopening strait, officials say

Barak Ravid

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The U.S. and Iran are discussing a potential deal that would involve a ceasefire in exchange for Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, three U.S. officials tell Axios.

The big picture: The officials did not say whether those discussions had taken place directly or only through mediators, and they cautioned that it was unclear whether a deal could be reached. But the officials said President Trump was discussing the possibility with officials inside and outside the administration.

Trump raised the talks around a possible ceasefire in a call on Wednesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to two sources with knowledge.

Trump also spoke to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed.

Behind the scenes: Vice President Vance has been talking to the mediators about the possible ceasefire as recently as Tuesday, according to a source familiar.The source said Vance passed a message to Iran via the mediators that the U.S. is open to a ceasefire if its demands are met, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Vance also reiterated Trump's threats to attack Iranian infrastructure if no deal is reached, the source said.

Driving the news: Trump claimed on Wednesday that Iran had asked the U.S. for a ceasefire, but stressed he would only consider it if the strait was reopened.China and Pakistan presented a peace initiative along those lines on Tuesday.

Iran's Foreign Ministry swiftly denied Trump's claim, and Tehran has consistently denied holding any direct negotiations with Washington.

Between the lines: Trump might have been referring to a statement Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made on Tuesday during a call with European Council President António Costa.Pezeshkian said Iran was willing to end the war but only if the U.S. stopped its attacks and Iran received guarantees that the war would not resume.

What they're saying: "Iran's New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear," Trump wrote on Truth Social.