ISTANBUL

The US proposed a 48-hour ceasefire with Iran on April 2 through a third country, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported Friday, citing an informed source.

“The US, on April 2, proposed a 48-hour ceasefire through one of the friendly countries,” the source told Fars.

The proposal came after “escalating tensions and challenges faced by US forces in the region,” the source added.

According to the news agency, Iran did not respond in writing but instead replied “on the ground” by continuing heavy attacks.

The source also said that “US diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have intensified, particularly after a reported strike on a US military depot on Bubiyan Island in Kuwait.”

The US and Israel on Feb. 28 launched an air offensive on Iran, killing over 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.