Donald Trump’s inner circle did not know until the very last moment whether a ceasefire with Iran would be reached. Negotiations unfolded in a climate of extreme uncertainty, with key decisions made within a narrow circle and often at the last minute. Axios reveals how Washington and Tehran ultimately arrived at a temporary agreement to halt hostilities.
While Trump publicly threatened to destroy “an entire civilization,” an intense diplomatic process was taking place behind the scenes. According to sources, even those closest to the US president did not understand what outcome the negotiations would produce. For the first time, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, became actively involved. For security reasons, he largely avoided direct contact, communicating decisions through handwritten notes delivered by couriers, yet his position proved decisive.
At the same time, the Pentagon and US forces in the Middle East were preparing for a large-scale operation against Iranian infrastructure. According to Axios, the order to cancel the strike came just hours before Trump’s ultimatum expired.
The key moment came on April 6. As the US president attended public events at the White House, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, was engaged in tense phone negotiations. He reportedly described Iran’s initial proposal as a “catastrophe” and a “disaster,” prompting a series of revisions.
Pakistani channels acted as intermediaries, transmitting updated proposals to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Meanwhile, Egyptian and Turkish diplomats attempted to bridge the gaps. By the evening, the sides had moved closer to a compromise, a two-week ceasefire, but the final decision rested with Khamenei.
On the morning of April 7, progress was made, but this did not stop Trump from escalating his rhetoric once again. He renewed threats of massive destruction against Iran, hinting at a possible strike on the night of April 8. At the same time, US Vice President JD Vance, visiting Hungary, continued negotiations by phone, primarily with the Pakistani side.
By midday on April 7, a “general understanding” had emerged between the parties. A few hours later, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly urged Trump to delay his deadline and called on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to Axios, the situation remained highly chaotic: many who had spoken with Trump shortly beforehand believed he would reject the proposal.
Nevertheless, the US president ultimately chose to accept the ceasefire. Shortly before the official announcement, he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure his commitment to the agreement. A final contact with Pakistan’s military leadership followed, sealing the deal. Just 15 minutes after Trump’s announcement, US forces received orders to stand down.
Axios sources describe Khamenei’s “green light” as the decisive factor: all major decisions during the negotiations passed through him, and without his approval, no agreement would have been possible. His health condition, however, remains unclear amid reports suggesting he may be seriously ill.
The United States and Iran are now preparing for a new round of official negotiations. However, as Vance noted, the ceasefire remains “fragile.” Internal divisions persist within Iran over engagement with Washington, while significant disagreements between the two sides remain unresolved.
Despite this temporary de-escalation, the risk of renewed conflict remains high.
