A new and significant development has emerged regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to a report by Ynet, citing an official, the United States is planning to bring the war with Iran to an end by April 9.
The report suggests that Washington has set April 9 as a tentative deadline to conclude the conflict. If everything proceeds as planned, it indicates that both military action and diplomatic negotiations are entering a decisive phase with limited time remaining.
Islamabad may host key US-Iran talks
The report also claims that discussions between the United States and Iran could take place later this week in Islamabad. Supporting this, Reuters has also indicated that the Pakistani capital is being considered as a potential venue for talks between the two sides.
However, the Israeli report adds a political dimension, noting that former US President Donald Trump has been promised an honour by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the occasion of Israel Day. If the war does not end by then, the ceremony could be postponed, something Trump reportedly wants to avoid.
Why April 9 is being seen as a deadline
The timing is linked to earlier developments. In late December 2025, Netanyahu had promised Trump a special honour after he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
If the war ends by April 9, it would allow Trump to visit Israel during its Independence Day celebrations on April 21-22 and receive the prestigious Israel Prize, the country’s highest civilian honour.
The report also mentions that further plans are being prepared for the three weeks following this potential deadline.
Israeli military to continue operations till passover
Despite these diplomatic signals, Israel has indicated that its military operations will continue for now. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin said that actions against Iran would continue at least until the Jewish festival of Passover, which falls between April 1 and April 8 this year.
He also revealed that the United States had not informed Israel about its contacts with Iran’s parliament speaker. Reports suggest that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is currently handling communication on behalf of Iran.
What has happened so far in the war
The conflict began on February 28. Initially, Donald Trump had said the war could last about a month, but on March 11, he indicated that it could end at any time.
On March 23, Trump announced that the US would pause strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure for five days and mentioned ongoing discussions with Tehran. However, Iran has denied any such talks.
Earlier, the US had issued an ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of possible strikes on power plants if it failed to comply. In response, Iran threatened to target energy, IT and water infrastructure across the Middle East.
Global impact of the conflict
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global trade route, with nearly 20% of the world’s oil and LNG supply passing through it. The ongoing conflict has already had ripple effects globally, including in countries like Ukraine.
Fuel prices have surged significantly and there are growing concerns that gas supply and pricing could face further disruptions if the situation continues.
