US and Iran Near Agreement to Extend Ceasefire Amid Pakistan Mediation

The United States and Iran moved closer to extending their fragile two-week ceasefire.

Pakistan's military chief led a delegation to Tehran carrying a new message from Washington.

@globaltimesnews

Regional officials told the Associated Press that the two sides had reached an in principle agreement to extend the ceasefire.

A senior U.S. official told Reuters that Washington had not formally agreed to the extension.

President Donald Trump said the war is very close to being over.

The thorniest issue remains Iran's nuclear program.

The U.S. and Israel are pushing for complete restrictions on uranium enrichment.

Al Jazeera

Iran insists its enrichment effort is for civilian purposes only.

Iran is open to discussing the type and level of enrichment but must be able to continue based on its needs.

The negotiating team urged Iran to agree to a 20-year moratorium, while Iran countered with five years.

Survivors described scenes of workers pounding on locked metal doors as smoke filled the stairwells.

Nasrin Begum escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.

The Bangladesh Garment Workers' Federation called a nationwide strike.

Federation president Kalpona Akter said Rahman Textile had been cited for fire safety violations in 2024.

Labour Minister Tahmina Akhter pledged an immediate government investigation.

Rahman Textile produced clothing for several European fashion brands.

Hessen's compliance team had audited the factory in March.

Al-Nahar

Rahman Textile owner Faisal Rahman claimed the factory had passed its most recent safety inspection in January.

Clean Clothes Campaign spokesperson said the audit system was fundamentally broken.

Rahman was being questioned about allegations that the factory's emergency exits had been welded shut.