The United States is reportedly aiming to bring the ongoing Middle East conflict to an end by April 9, according to Israeli media reports. However, there has been no official confirmation from US authorities regarding such a timeline.
Amid these claims, Iran has firmly denied any diplomatic engagement. Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed reports of negotiations with the United States, calling them “fake news used to manipulate financial and oil markets,” adding to uncertainty around possible de-escalation.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause in military action, stating that he has instructed the Department of Defense to postpone planned airstrikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days.
“I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Citing the tenor and tone of these discussions, Trump said the decision to delay strikes was aimed at allowing diplomatic space.
At the same time, the US President signaled a shift in responsibility over the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, stating that it should be guarded and policed by other nations that rely on it, while adding that the US would assist if requested.
The conflicting narratives of US claims of progress versus Iran’s outright denial have raised fresh doubts over the prospects of a near-term resolution, even as reports suggest a possible deadline to end the conflict.
(With inputs from syndicated feed)
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