CNN reported that the United States and Iran are on the verge of closing a deal tonight, just hours before Trump’s self-imposed 8:00 PM ET deadline expires.
Vice President JD Vance further reinforced the administration’s posture earlier today, stating that the United States has already “largely accomplished its military objectives”, while leaving the door open for either a negotiated resolution or further action depending on Iran’s response.
Meanwhile, confusion has surrounded Iran’s diplomatic stance. Initial reports claimed Tehran had severed all communication channels, but later clarifications from Iranian state media indicated that indirect negotiations remain ongoing.
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has urgently appealed to President Donald Trump to delay his looming military deadline on Iran by two weeks.
Sharif wrote on X:
“Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks.
“Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region.”
Just had a short call with POTUS: He declined to say how he is feeling about negotiations: “I can’t tell you, because right now we’re in heated negotiations.”
He declined to weigh in on Pakistan’s 2 week deadline extension request – saying he’s about to be briefed fully on it – but said: “I can say this – that I know him very well. He’s a highly respected man, all over”
A senior Iranian official told me that this proposal floated by the Pakistani PM for a temporary ceasefire is essentially the same as previous Trump attempts, which Iran has rejected. Iran has already delivered its terms for negotiating an end to the war.
“A balanced proposal, endorsed by all mediators, has already been conveyed to the American side,” the official said. “Washington now has at its disposal all the elements required to reach a decision that will bring an end to the war.”
However, CNN reported that a potential ceasefire between the US and Iran is to be closed tonight.
“A regional source said “some good news is expected from both sides soon” and that discussions were steered directly by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The source added that a deal is expected to be closed tonight.
Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan,Reza Amiri Moghadam, said on X, “As of now, a step forward from critical, sensitive stage … In the next stage, respect and comity should be replaced by rethorics and redundancy. Stay more tuned…”
