Qatar, Egypt-Pakistan Propose 10-Day Ceasefire Between US-Iran

JAKARTA - Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and a number of other regional mediators have submitted a 10-day ceasefire proposal to the United States and Iran, Axios reported, citing a number of sources.

The report, published on Monday evening (20/7), said the administration of US President Donald Trump was reviewing the proposal.

As reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Tuesday, July 21, Washington also asked Israel to avoid steps that could close the door to a settlement through diplomacy.

However, the United States simultaneously continues to prepare various steps in anticipation if the negotiations do not bear fruit.

On the other hand, the Israeli military reportedly increased its readiness status and prepared for a possible escalation of the conflict into a full-scale military campaign in the next few days.

The new ceasefire proposal is said to include a temporary cessation of hostilities, reopening shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, and providing an opportunity for Washington and Tehran to salvage a previously agreed memorandum of understanding.