[ANALYSIS] Iranian War Day 47: Eyes on a potential second meeting

DIPLOMACY

• US President Trump said he views the war as being very close to over.
• US President Trump said it could end either way, but he thinks a deal is preferable because then Iran can rebuild, while he also said he isn't thinking about extending the ceasefire and doesn't think it will be necessary.
• US President Trump said he doesn't like the idea of Iran agreeing to a suspension of uranium enrichment that would end after 20 years, although he did not rule the idea out.
• US Vice President JD Vance said the US is negotiating with Iran and that the ceasefire is holding, while adding Iranian negotiators wanted to make a deal and that he feels good about where things are.
• Vance also said there is a lot of mistrust between the US and Iran, which cannot be solved overnight.
• US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead a potential second round of talks with Iranian officials should negotiations lead to another face-to-face meeting before the ceasefire expires next week.
• UN Secretary General Guterres said indications are that it is highly probable Iran talks will restart.
• Discussions are reportedly underway regarding a possible extension of the temporary ceasefire between Iran and the US.
• Turkey’s Foreign Minister discussed US-Iran talks and steps to be taken in the coming days in a call with a Pakistani counterpart.
• Pakistan leadership’s overseas tour until April 18th dims prospects of US-Iran talks in Islamabad before April 18th, Pakistani journalist Mallick reported.

STRAIT OF HORMUZ

• US Central Command said the blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented and that US forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.
• US has intercepted eight Iran-linked oil tankers since the start of the blockade.
• A US destroyer interdicted two oil tankers that attempted to leave Iran on Tuesday.
• More than 20 commercial ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.
• Europeans are drafting a postwar plan to free up the Strait of Hormuz without the US.
• Israelis are reportedly in contact with Washington and European nations to ensure Houthis do not plan to disrupt maritime navigation.
• An Iranian VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), which was on the US sanctions list, entered the waters of Iran past the US blockade, Fars reported.

ISRAEL / LEBANON

• US State Department said it discussed steps to start negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, while the US expressed support for further talks.
• The State Department added that Lebanon called for a ceasefire and measures to address the humanitarian crisis, and that the parties agreed to start direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and place.
• Israeli ambassador to the US said both sides are united in liberating Lebanon from Hezbollah and discussed a long-term vision for a clearly delineated border, while adding the security of Israeli civilians is not up for negotiation.
• Lebanon's ambassador to the US said the date and location of the next meeting with Israel will be announced later, and that the preliminary meeting with Israel was good.
• Guterres added that nobody expects the Israel-Lebanon talks to solve everything immediately, but they are important to create conditions for change.

SCHEDULE

• US President Trump's full interview with Fox is set to air on the 15th of April at 06:00 EDT / 11:00 BST.