Iran-Israel War: Trump Delays Ultimatum as Talks & Attacks Continue

Amid calls for dialogue, threats and casualties are mounting in the Middle East. U.S. President Donald Trump asserted Thursday that Iran is “begging” for a deal to end the war, while urging a ceasefire “before it is too late.” Simultaneously, Israel killed a high-ranking Iranian military official, Alireza Tangsiri, head of the Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces, whom they hold responsible for blockading the Strait of Hormuz—a disruption impacting the global energy market. In a shift, Trump announced he is postponing a deadline issued to the Islamic Republic for ten days, until April 6, “at the request of the Iranian Government,” according to a post on his social media platform, Truth.

“I am postponing the phase of destruction of the power plants for ten days, until Monday, April 6 at 8:00 p.m. Washington time (2:00 a.m. Spanish peninsular time on Tuesday). The conversations continue,” Trump stated, adding that negotiations are “going particularly well.”

The latest Israeli strike against Iran’s leadership came as Trump’s Friday deadline for a deal or “unleashing hell” against Iran approached. Trump reiterated his threats Thursday at the White House during his first Cabinet meeting since the war began: “They now have an opportunity to abandon their nuclear ambitions and embark on a new path,” he said. “We’ll see if they take it. If not, we will be their worst nightmare. And while we wait, we will continue to blow them up,” he declared, seemingly referencing the death of Tangsiri.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, fearing Trump might declare a unilateral ceasefire, underscored “coordination” and “common objectives” with Washington while announcing the strike against Tangsiri.

The fighting continues in the fourth week of the war alongside ongoing negotiations, as the number of Iranians killed in the bombings exceeds 3,000, according to human rights activists. Sixteen civilians and an unknown number of military personnel have died in Israel, with the government censoring data on military casualties. Israel has launched a wave of bombings focused on the city of Isfahan, while Tehran has fired up to seven missile salvos against Israel, triggering alerts in Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.

In northern Israel, one person died in Nahariya from a projectile launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon. Two others died in Abu Dhabi from debris from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile, according to the Emirati government.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Thursday that his country is acting as an intermediary—with the help of Turkey and Egypt—between the United States and Iran. The mediators are attempting to capitalize on momentum and organize a meeting this weekend to overcome Tehran’s initial rejection of the U.S. Proposal, which is reportedly harsher than a previous offer. Despite the vast differences between the positions of Washington and Tehran and the existing distrust, a first opportunity for a negotiated end to the war—or at least a ceasefire—has emerged.

Now led by more hardline figures, after the U.S. And Israel killed its more pragmatic leaders, Iran feels strong in the conflict and is presenting maximalist proposals to end it. It is also lowering expectations for any potential negotiation process. “The messages transmitted through our friendly countries, and our response by stating our positions or issuing the necessary warnings, are not called negotiation or dialogue,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Wednesday night. “Currently, our policy is to continue resistance and defend the country, and we have no intention of negotiating,” he added.

Trump presents a completely different picture. In a post on Truth Social Thursday, he stated that Iran is “militarily annihilated, with no possibility of recovery,” and asserted that Tehran is “begging” for a deal. He described his negotiators as “very different and strange,” before issuing a threat: “They better take this seriously soon, before it is too late, because once that happens, there will be no turning back, and things don’t look good.”

In remarks at the White House, Trump insisted on a similar idea. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to reach an agreement. I don’t know if we’re willing to do it,” he said, regarding the possibility of reaching a deal with what he described as “great negotiators.” According to Trump, one of the main demands in those conversations is Iran’s renunciation of developing nuclear weapons. The other is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, where he says Tehran allowed a dozen ships to pass this week as a show of goodwill. He did not rule out that, as has happened in Venezuela, the United States could end up taking control of Iranian oil. “It’s an option,” he admitted.

His chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, who is developing contacts with Tehran through mediating countries, pointed out that the conflict is “at an inflection point, where (the Iranians) don’t have many good options for them, beyond death and destruction.” According to the real estate developer and personal friend of Trump, now a diplomatic negotiator, there are “great signs” that Iran is “looking for a way out” and a peace agreement could be reached.

Israel has reportedly removed Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf from its list of targets for elimination, according to Reuters, at the request of Pakistan, as they are considered the most experienced and pragmatic interlocutors available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What action did Israel take on Thursday?

Israel killed Alireza Tangsiri, head of the Revolutionary Guard’s naval forces, whom they blame for blockading the Strait of Hormuz.

What is Donald Trump’s current position regarding negotiations with Iran?

Donald Trump stated that Iran is “begging” for a deal to end the war, but also reiterated threats against Iran if they do not abandon their nuclear ambitions.

Is there any mediation taking place between the U.S. And Iran?

Pakistan, with the help of Turkey and Egypt, is acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, attempting to organize a meeting this weekend.

Given the complex and shifting dynamics at play, what impact might continued military strikes have on the prospects for a negotiated resolution to the conflict?