Media: As the deadline set by Trump approaches, progress is made in US-Iran negotiations

Xinhua News Agency, Jerusalem, April 7 (Reporter Wang Zhuolun, Feng Guorui). Israeli media reported on the evening of the 7th that as the deadline set by U.S. President Trump for Iran is about to expire, contact between the two sides has made some progress. All parties are working to push for a temporary ceasefire and are also exploring the possibility of gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a report by Israel Public Broadcasting, citing diplomatic sources, Pakistan has proposed a recommendation to extend the deadline by two weeks. The consultations are being conducted intensively, and related contacts have shown “positive progress,” but nothing has been finalized yet.

As reported by the website of Israel’s “New Message” newspaper, the related contacts are moving toward reaching a temporary ceasefire, during which the Strait of Hormuz may gradually reopen. The report, citing regional intelligence officials, said that the parties are closer to a ceasefire than the outside world had expected, and they are trying to work out some arrangement before the deadline arrives.

Citing remarks by military sources, Israel’s Channel 12 television station said that it is still unclear which direction the current situation will take, and it could “turn toward fighting or reach an agreement.” The Israeli side is preparing for various scenarios, including a ceasefire, a framework agreement, and expanding military operations. The report also said that Israeli officials will describe the next few hours as a “critical moment,” and they are concerned about the possibility that the United States and Iran might reach some kind of deadline extension or a framework agreement at the last moment. They believe that the relevant arrangements may not fully meet Israel’s demands and interests.

As the deadline approaches, the Israeli military issued a statement on the evening of the 7th warning that attacks against Israel may escalate in the next few hours. It urged the public to remain vigilant and follow civil defense directives.

In a telephone interview with a reporter from the U.S. Fox News channel on the 7th, Trump said that the United States is currently conducting “intense negotiations” regarding Iran’s war, but he refused to reveal more details. On the 6th, Trump reiterated that whether Iran’s war is about to escalate or is close to ending depends on Iran’s response to the “final deadline” he set for 20:00 Eastern Time on the 7th. On the 7th, he posted on social media, threatening Iran: “Tonight, the entire civilization will perish. I don’t want that to happen, but it may.” (End)