US and Iran Discuss 45-Day Ceasefire as Trump Issues Ultimatum Over Strait of Hormuz

The United States, Iran, and regional mediators are currently discussing terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire, according to reports from Axios. If successful, the temporary halt in hostilities is intended to pave the way for a permanent end to the ongoing conflict. Amid these negotiations, President Donald Trump issued a stark ultimatum regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. In an expletive-laden post on Truth Social, Trump demanded that Iran reopen the waterway by Tuesday night. "Open the f------ strait, you crazy bastards," the president wrote. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump later noted that there is a "good chance" of reaching a deal by tomorrow. The push for a ceasefire and Trump's deadline follow a high-stakes mission to rescue a US airman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel provided assistance during the operation. The rescue mission has led to conflicting narratives regarding downed military equipment. Iranian state media recently aired footage showing the wreckage of US aircraft, claiming Iranian forces shot them down. However, the United States countered this claim, stating that American forces intentionally destroyed two of their own planes after the aircraft suffered mechanical failures during the operation. As diplomatic efforts continue, the conflict's toll on the region remains evident. Early Monday, an airstrike hit a residential building in a city southwest of Tehran, killing at least 13 people, according to Iranian media reports. In response to ongoing strikes, Iranian officials warned that any further attacks on civil infrastructure will be met with a "devastating" retaliation. The conflict has also triggered disruptions to energy supplies and transit. While an oil tanker carrying Iraqi oil recently managed to transit the Strait of Hormuz, broader fuel supply issues persist. Reports indicate that 274 petrol stations are currently without diesel, a shortage exacerbated by a 30 percent rise in Easter petrol demand this year.