The US has set April 9 as a potential end date for the ongoing war against Iran, Israeli media reported on Monday, hours after President Donald Trump announced his decision to delay strikes on Tehran’s energy infrastructure.
“Washington has set April 9 as the target date for ending the war, leaving about 21 days for continued fighting and negotiations,” Yedioth Ahronoth, one of Israel’s largest newspapers, reported, citing an unnamed government official.
The official told the publication that talks between the US and Iran are expected to take place later this week in Pakistan, adding that Washington did not inform Israel of the details of its contact with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who, it should be noted, openly denied the talks with Washington, calling Trump’s claims “fake news” aimed at manipulating financial markets.
The newspaper also said that while Israel had not been directly informed of the talks, Tel Aviv estimated that the US was already in indirect talks with Qalibaf.
Iran “checks” Washington’s proposals
Despite Qalibaf’s rejection of talks with the US, CBS News reported late Monday that Iran had in fact received a message from the US through intermediaries as a potential precursor to talks.
“We received points from the US through intermediaries and they are being reviewed,” an Iranian foreign ministry official told CBS News.
Trump takes a step back
The development came after Trump announced on social media on Monday that Washington had held “very good and productive” discussions with Tehran and backtracked on an ultimatum he had given Iran to either open the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its energy infrastructure.
“I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN HAD A VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS REGARDING THE COMPLETE AND TOTAL SETTLEMENT OF OUR MIDDLE EAST HOSTILITIES,” Trump wrote on Tru Social.
The US president also added that “based on the content and tone of these in-depth, detailed and constructive talks that will continue throughout the week”, he has decided to hold off on US strikes against Tehran’s energy infrastructure “for five days”.
Later, Trump told reporters that Washington and Tehran had about 15 points of agreement, adding: “I think there’s a very good chance we’ll end up with a deal.”
The conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other began on February 28 after Washington and Tel Aviv carried out joint strikes against Tehran, triggering retaliation and plunging the Middle East into conflict.
Since then, at least 3,220 people have been killed in Iran, according to the US-based HRANA, 1,398 of whom were civilians, including 210 children. Meanwhile, the US suffered 13 casualties, while Israel killed fifteen civilians and two of its soldiers.
