According to an Axios report citing US, Israeli and regional sources, the White House has yet to make a final decision, but officials believe the coming days will determine whether diplomacy can still prevent a broader regional war.

Regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and Oman, have presented Washington and Tehran with a proposal for a temporary 10-day ceasefire designed to halt hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and create space for negotiations on a longer-term arrangement governing maritime security.

US officials said the Trump administration is reviewing the proposal and has urged Israel to avoid actions that could undermine diplomatic efforts.

At the same time, Washington is preparing for the possibility that talks could collapse.

The US military has deployed dozens of fighter jets and aerial refuelling aircraft to the region, while Israeli officials say the military is on high alert and preparing for a potential expansion of the conflict.

The renewed diplomatic push comes after nearly two weeks of fighting failed to secure US objectives in the Gulf.

Despite sustained US air strikes, Iran has maintained pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, while attacks on commercial shipping have fuelled concerns over global energy supplies.

The conflict has also taken a growing human and economic toll.

At least three US service members have been killed in recent attacks, prompting Trump to vow that Iran would pay “many times over” for every American death.

Oil prices briefly climbed above $90 a barrel before easing, while higher fuel costs have added to domestic pressure on the US administration.

The proposed ceasefire would reopen both shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and revive negotiations under the memorandum of understanding previously reached between Washington and Tehran.

During the pause in fighting, both sides would seek agreement on a long-term framework for maritime transit, including possible mechanisms allowing Iran to collect service fees or channel them through an internationally supervised fund.

However, neither Washington nor Tehran has accepted the proposal, with both sides appearing determined to strengthen their negotiating positions through continued military operations.

The diplomatic effort has become more complicated after Yemen’s Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi ports, widening the regional confrontation and increasing risks to Gulf energy infrastructure and Red Sea shipping.

Radical Israeli regime leader Benjamin Netanyahu has also warned that Israel would respond forcefully to any Iranian attacks, raising concerns that the conflict could spread further across the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmael Baghaei confirmed that mediation efforts were continuing but declined to discuss the details of the proposals, saying Iran would continue responding to what it described as US aggression.

US officials indicated that military operations could continue for several more days before Trump decides whether to support another ceasefire, with one official saying the president remains focused on responding to Iran’s alleged violations of previous agreements and recent attacks on US forces.

The outcome of the diplomatic initiative is expected to determine whether the conflict moves toward renewed negotiations or a significantly broader military confrontation involving both the United States and Israel.