South Korean media: "Last-minute backdoor talks between US and Iran… Pushing for 45-day ceasefire in Phase 1"

¬ Trump extends negotiation deadline by 1 day… "If not open Hormuz, blow up all power plants"

US President Donald Trump set the deadline for negotiations with Iran at 8 p.m. on the 7th (9 a.m. KST on the 8th). Rumors suggest both sides are discussing a preliminary 45-day ceasefire plan.

On the 5th, American online media Axios cited statements from four sources reporting that the US and Iran are negotiating a two-phase agreement aimed at achieving permanent peace. To this end, both sides are engaging in behind-the-scenes contacts through mediators such as Pakistan and Egypt. Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are reportedly communicating via text messages.

The proposed negotiation framework involves a Phase 1 ceasefire lasting 45 days, followed by Phase 2 for final peace settlement. Additionally, provisions for extending the ceasefire period if necessary have also been mentioned.

The main points of contention between the two sides are access through the Strait of Hormuz and how to handle Iran’s highly enriched uranium. These two issues are considered core bargaining chips by Iran, and merely offering a 45-day ceasefire is unlikely to prompt easy concessions. Iran insists these matters should be addressed only during the final peace negotiations, not within the initial ceasefire phase.

Iran has clearly stated its rejection of paper-only ceasefires like those seen in Gaza or Lebanon, warning that otherwise the US and Israel could resume attacks at any time.

Thus, mediators are probing Iran’s stance to see whether Iran might open the strait in Phase 1 and make some concessions on nuclear materials, while simultaneously convincing the US to establish a security mechanism preventing military escalation after the ceasefire.

According to Axios, mediators believe that full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and resolving issues regarding Iran’s highly enriched uranium—including export and dilution—should be settled in the final agreement stage.

It has been reported that the US has strongly signaled it will attack Iran’s major infrastructure if no agreement is reached. Further reports indicate that the US and Israel have already prepared large-scale bombing plans targeting Iran’s energy facilities.

Mediators are concerned that if Iran retaliates, energy and water infrastructure across the Middle East could be struck. Some analysts warn that under such circumstances, armed conflict could spread throughout the entire region.

Mediators are stressing to Iran that there is no need to prolong the process further, emphasizing that the next 48 hours represent the last opportunity to prevent massive losses. However, according to sources, the likelihood of an agreement being reached before Trump’s negotiated deadline expires remains low.

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¬ The fateful moment for Iran war arrives at 9 a.m. KST on the 8th

On the 5th, US President Donald Trump set the 7th as the deadline for negotiations with Iran. That morning, Trump posted only on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social": "8 p.m. Eastern Time Tuesday" (9 a.m. KST on the 8th), without additional explanation. Previously, Trump announced a pause in preparations for attacking critical infrastructure, leading analysts to believe he had extended the deadline by one day beyond the originally scheduled 6th. During an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that day, Trump again set the deadline for the 7th evening, stating: "If nothing is done, no power plant will remain untouched, and no bridge will survive," pressuring Iran into a final settlement.

In the WSJ interview, Trump directly addressed Iran's leadership: "If they refuse to comply and continue blocking (the strait), they will lose all power plants and every other facility nationwide." When asked when the situation in Iran would end, he replied: "I’ll inform you as soon as possible." Trump claimed: "The US holds a very advantageous position; rebuilding that country would take 20 years—if they’re lucky enough to keep their nation intact." He added that if Iran fails to act by 8 p.m. on the 7th, "not a single power plant will remain, and not a single bridge will survive." Earlier, on "Truth Social," Trump had issued a fiery statement: "Open that damn strait—or live in hell."

When asked whether he was concerned about strikes on infrastructure causing suffering among Iranian civilians, Trump responded: "(The Iranian people) are already living in hell—they wish we’d do it." Shortly after rescuing a trapped F-15 fighter pilot from Iran, Trump made these remarks. Some assessments suggest that as the deadline for delaying infrastructure attacks approaches, the February 28 operation against Iran may reach its most pivotal turning point. Trump told Fox News optimistically: "I believe an agreement will be reached before the 6th," though actual progress in negotiations remains unclear. A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. that afternoon, where details may be unveiled.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1861714446665740/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author