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US and Iran Consider 10-Day Ceasefire Proposal

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 · 9 sources

Regional mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire to the US and Iran, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive a memorandum of understanding. The proposal comes as the US and Iran consider their next steps in the conflict.

Regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman, have presented the US and Iran with a proposal for a 10-day ceasefire. The proposal aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed due to the conflict, and give the US and Iran room to negotiate a longer-term arrangement. The US has not yet accepted the proposal, and officials say the country is preparing for the talks to fail. The US military has sent dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft to the region in recent days.

The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least three US service members, and oil prices briefly broke $90 a barrel over the weekend. Gas prices are also rising, compounding the domestic backlash to the war. The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi ports, opening another front against the Gulf's energy infrastructure and shipping lanes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will answer any Iranian attack with massive strikes, raising the risk of a wider war. Regional sources say mediators are trying to build on a proposal discussed by Oman, Iran, and Qatar in Muscat, Oman, on July 11. The proposal would fully reopen both Hormuz shipping lanes and allow the US and Iran to negotiate a longer-term arrangement governing passage through the strait.

Go Deeper

What is the current state of the conflict between the US and Iran?

The conflict is ongoing, with the US and Iran considering a 10-day ceasefire proposal. The US has been bombing Iran for 10 straight nights, and Iran has been attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

What is the goal of the 10-day ceasefire proposal?

The goal of the proposal is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and give the US and Iran room to negotiate a longer-term arrangement governing passage through the strait.

How has the conflict affected oil prices?

The conflict has caused oil prices to rise, with prices briefly breaking $90 a barrel over the weekend.

What is the role of regional mediators in the conflict?

Regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman, are working to prevent further escalation and negotiate a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

What are the potential consequences of the conflict escalating?

The conflict could escalate into a wider war, involving Israel and other countries in the region, and could have significant consequences for global energy markets and the economy.