A potential 45-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is being weighed by the White House, according to a senior administration official who spoke Monday, as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation.

The official told NBC that the proposed pause in fighting is one of multiple scenarios currently under review by senior members of the administration, signaling that discussions remain ongoing and no final decision has been made.

Separately, Reuters reported that Pakistan has put forward a plan aimed at halting the conflict and creating a pathway toward broader negotiations, in an effort to de-escalate tensions across the region.

According to sources familiar with the initiative, senior Pakistani and American officials were engaged in extensive overnight discussions, with Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in direct contact with top U.S. figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, as well as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The proposal, referred to as the “Islamabad Agreement,” outlines a two-stage process. The first phase would involve an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to allow uninterrupted maritime traffic. The second phase envisions negotiations lasting 15 to 20 days in Islamabad, aimed at reaching a lasting settlement, including Iran agreeing to dismantle its nuclear weapons program in return for significant sanctions relief.

In Tehran, officials are approaching the proposal cautiously. A senior Iranian official confirmed that the government is examining the plan but made clear that Iran is unwilling to proceed under pressure or rigid timelines, emphasizing resistance to externally imposed “deadlines.”