"U.S.-Iran Near Deal to Extend Ceasefire by 60 Days"... Trump Says Chance of Resuming Attacks Is "50-50"

[Financial News]  
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The United States and Iran are likely to extend their ceasefire by 60 days and establish a framework for talks on Iran's nuclear program, the Financial Times (FT) reported on the 23rd (local time). FT said this view is spreading among those mediating the negotiations between the two countries.
According to sources, the United States and Iran are expected to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and continue discussions on the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear program. The agenda is expected to include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and commitments to dilute or remove Iran's highly enriched uranium.
The United States is also expected to gradually lift its blockade on Iranian ports, ease sanctions, and unfreeze Iranian assets held overseas.
Earlier, in an interview with Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would meet with aides this afternoon to discuss Iran's latest proposal. He added that the odds of reaching a "good" deal or "obliterating them completely" were "exactly 50-50." He said a decision on whether to strike a deal or destroy Iran in an attack would be made by the 24th.
Trump also said he would hold a phone conference with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, Egypt and Türkiye after his talks with aides.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also hinted at the possibility of extending the ceasefire.
Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran is currently discussing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to end the war as the first step of the current agreement. He added, "We are now in the final stages of this MOU." Once that work is completed, he explained, the sides plan to spend 30 to 60 days coordinating the details of a more substantive and comprehensive agreement.
Mediating countries are hoping Iran's proposal will be satisfactory enough to keep Trump from resuming attacks on Iran.
One diplomat said, "The ceasefire agreement appears to be a step in the right direction," adding, "The United States is now at the stage of reviewing an extension."
He added, "Iran appears ready to make more concessions on nuclear energy, but it is signaling that it will not do so while the war continues. A ceasefire agreement would help bridge that gap."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also told reporters en route to India that there has been "some progress" in the talks between the two sides.
Rubio said, "We may be able to announce something later today, tomorrow, or within a few days." He added, "But as the president has said, this issue must be resolved one way or another." That means he agrees with the president's view that the war with Iran must be settled soon, either through a deal or by destroying it in another attack.
He stressed, however, that the president's preference is to resolve the issue diplomatically.
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dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter