JOHN YANG: Welcome to the "News Hour."

Late today, President Trump said# on social media that he's extending## his ban on bombing Iran's power# plants by 10 days until April 6.## Early this week, he said tomorrow was the deadline# for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a## resumption of attacks on energy infrastructure,# which is illegal under the Geneva Convention.

Today's extension came after an# hours-long Cabinet meeting that## included an update on what U.S.

officials# say are ongoing negotiations with Iran.

Lisa Desjardins has our report.

LISA DESJARDINS: Today in the Middle East,# still more civilians paying the price of war.## Emergency workers rushed to help an elderly woman# in the Arab-Israeli town of Kfar Qasim.

She had## just been spared from an Iranian missile fragment,# its impact in printing a crater and flipping cars.

That strike, part of the Tehran regime's# ballistic attack on Central Israel today,## engulfed cars in the town of Ganei Tikva in# flames.

Rescue workers putting out the fire## revealed charred husks of vehicles.# Iranian missiles also obliterated a## home nearby in Tel Aviv, a fragment# landing in a family's living room.

Israeli rescue services reported one death and 25# injuries from Iranian and Hezbollah attacks today,## as Israel last night killed# the head of Iran's navy,## Alireza Tangsiri, along with# other senior naval commanders.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: ISRAEL KATZ, Israeli Defense Minister# (through translator): Last night, in a## precise and lethal operation, the IDF thwarted# the commander of the Revolutionary Guards.. Alireza Tangsiri, along with senior naval# command officials,the man who was directly## responsible for the terrorist operation of# mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz,## and navigation was blown up and neutralized.

LISA DESJARDINS: This as the Strait# of Hormuz remains in Iran's grip,## causing hundreds of billions in# economic blowback and preventing## a fifth of the world's seaborne oil# and natural gas supply from transport.

The U.S.

today continued its bombing,# releasing video of strikes targeting## Iranian military capabilities.# At the White House, a rarity,## a public briefing by special envoy Steve Witkoff# during a Cabinet meeting with President Trump.

He said Iranian officials rejected key# demands, including about its nuclear stockpile.

STEVE WITKOFF, U.S.

Special Envoy to the Middle# East: Throughout our meetings with the Iranians,## we heard the following from them.

The Iranians# have the inalienable right to enrich.

Then we## heard they possessed enough 60 percent enriched# material, 460 kilograms, to make 11 atomic bombs.

LISA DESJARDINS: Even so, Witkoff# conveyed a belief that Iran may## be at a pivot point for a deal with Trump.

STEVE WITKOFF: Your indications that you# are willing to listen to peace proposals## have been well received.

We have delivered that# message, sir, along with the 15 points for peace.## Finally, we have told Iran one# last day.

Don't miscalculate again.

LISA DESJARDINS: Trump told the room# that Iranians made a goodwill gesture.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States:# They said, to show you the fact that we're real## and solid, and we're there, we're going to let you# have eight boats of oil., eight big boats of oil.## This was two days ago.

And# they'll sail up tomorrow.

LISA DESJARDINS: And he conveyed# his sense of the state of play.

DONALD TRUMP: And they will tell you, we're not# negotiating.

We will not negotiate.

Of course,## they're negotiating.

They have been# obliterated.

Who wouldn't negotiate?## They are begging to make a deal.

We# will see if we can make the right deal.

LISA DESJARDINS: But, yesterday, Iran's foreign# minister publicly denied any direct negotiations.

ABBAS ARAGHCHI, Iranian Foreign# Minister (through translator):## Over the past few days, our American counterparts# have begun sending mes.. other countries that are our friends.# If there are messages through others to## which we respond with our own position and# demands, that is not called conversation,## nor negotiation, or anything.

This is# simply sending messages through others.

LISA DESJARDINS: Pakistan has emerged# as a key mediator in this conflict.

TAHIR ANDRABI, Spokesperson, Pakistani# Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Pakistan has,## ladies and gentlemen, actively engaged with the# regional actors to de-escalate th.. seize hostilities, and move# towards a peaceful settlement.

LISA DESJARDINS: But, for now, the# war, its issues and its grief continue.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Lisa Desjardins.