US targets April 9 to end Iran war, but Tehran denies talks as strikes intensify – YNet
Following statements by President Trump, an Israeli official told YNet that Washington is aiming to end the war by April 9, leaving about 21 days for fighting and negotiations.
The official said that U.S.-Iran talks are expected later this week in Pakistan, adding that Washington has not updated Israel on contacts with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Ending the war by then could let Trump visit Israel on Independence Day to receive the Israel Prize.
Israeli defense officials assess that even if fighting with Iran continues until then, Tehran is likely to keep firing about 10 missiles per day at Israel. Launches have ranged from seven to 15 per day, but large-scale barrages are limited by damage to Iran’s command and control systems. Updated Israeli data shows roughly 330 missile launchers are out of use, about half destroyed and the rest trapped underground. Around 100 to 150 launchers remain operational.
Iranian officials have rejected the prospect of negotiations. A military official told Tasnim news agency that Iran has “prepared surprises for the coming days.” Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said “there is no logic in negotiations” and that adversaries “understand only the language of force and missiles.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran received messages from “friendly countries” about U.S. interest in talks but has not responded. Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz and conditions for ending the conflict remain unchanged.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters the U.S. sought a meeting with Ghalibaf, but Iran has not replied. Pakistani officials have been relaying messages between Iranian representatives and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
