Khaberni - Contacts are underway between Iran and the United States regarding the possibility of a ceasefire, in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Israeli report Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance held talks with mediators from Pakistan regarding the war on Iran, with the latest being last Tuesday. This is an indicator of his expanding role in mediation efforts,
Politico reports that Trump "will announce in his speech that Washington has achieved all of its goals in Iran".
A White House official said that it is expected that the US president will confirm the timeline, which ranges between two to three weeks, to end the war in Iran during a speech expected in the coming hours, according to Reuters news agency.
The Israeli Channel 12 reported on Wednesday evening that "contacts are being held between the United States and Iran regarding the possibility of a ceasefire in the war, in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz", quoting three high-level American officials mentioned in the channel's report.
Despite these talks, US officials stated that there is no guarantee of reaching an agreement and that the contacts could also fail.
If negotiations fail, it would mean that the United States will significantly escalate the war, including striking Iranian oil sites, and "possibly taking other actions".
According to the report, the American president, just a few hours ago, made a phone call to the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, "briefing him on the latest updates and the possibility of reaching a ceasefire".
Sources informed that Trump might make a phone call later on Wednesday evening with the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President of the UAE.
Completing the Strike on Iranian Military and Nuclear Facilities Classified as "Vital and Strategic" Targets
Yedioth Ahronoth reports on its website "Ynet", late Wednesday, that the Israeli army, on Wednesday, completed strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, which were classified in the Israeli war plans as "vital and strategic" targets.
An army official, described in the report as high-ranking, said that almost all the facilities previously classified as "vital and strategic" had been disabled, among the military's priorities.
According to the same official, the destruction of the military and nuclear infrastructure in Iran will lead to the regime in Tehran being unable long-term to recover its missile and nuclear capabilities.
Tel Aviv's Concern
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation ("Kan 11") reported that Israel fears that the US President might suddenly announce the "maturity" of negotiations, justifying this by the complete replacement of the high command in Iran.
An Israeli source mentioned that the negotiations between the United States and Iran "are not going positively, and there is a disagreement within the Iranian leadership regarding how to respond to the American proposal to reach an agreement, as some senior officials see the need to respond positively, while others prefer to continue fighting".
It also noted that the United States and Israel coordinated decisive steps expected to be implemented in the coming days.
Vice President Vance Talks to Mediators About the War on Iran
According to Reuters, on Wednesday, quoting a source, US President Donald Trump has instructed Vance to clarify in private talks that he is prepared to halt the firefight, provided American demands are met, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Vance also conveyed what the source described as a "firm message," indicating that Trump's patience is running out, warning that pressure on Iranian infrastructure will increase if Tehran does not agree to a deal.
The source said Pakistan is playing a role in mediating between the United States and Iran.
Vance is taking on a greater role in attempts to negotiate an end to the war, now in its fifth week.
Vance is widely regarded as a potential candidate for the presidential election of 2028.
Vance takes a cautious approach to the war, reflecting his consistent doubts about prolonged American military intervention abroad.
Trump threatened to bomb Iranian infrastructure but has delayed such attacks on the Iranian electricity grid until April 6, hoping to reach an agreement with Tehran.
On Tuesday, China and Pakistan, during a meeting held in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, proposed a joint five-point initiative aimed at "restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region".
The initiative calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, with the utmost effort made to prevent the conflict from spreading, and ensures the delivery of humanitarian aid to all areas affected by the war.
It also calls for the commencement of peace talks as soon as possible, with an emphasis on maintaining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of states, including Iran and the Gulf countries, considering dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable options for resolving disputes, accompanied by a commitment from all parties to resolve differences peacefully and abstain from using force or threatening to use force during negotiations.
The initiative also emphasizes the protection of non-military targets, through adherence to the principle of protecting civilians in armed conflicts, and stopping their targeting or the targeting of civilian facilities, including vital infrastructure such as energy facilities, desalination plants, and electricity facilities, in addition to non-military nuclear installations such as nuclear power plants, with a full commitment to international humanitarian law.
Regarding navigation, the initiative calls for ensuring the security of shipping routes, affirming that the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters represent a global passageway vital for the transport of goods and energy, emphasizing the protection of ships and their crews, securing the safe and timely passage of commercial and civilian vessels, and working on restoring normal traffic in the strait as soon as possible.
The fifth point emphasizes the priority of the United Nations Charter, calling for the strengthening of multilateral action and supporting the achievement of a comprehensive agreement that establishes a framework for permanent peace, based on the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
