Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request
US President Donald Trump has announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, which was due to expire on 22 April. According to him, this decision was taken at the request of the Pakistani side.
In a post on Truth Social, he noted that the US had agreed to suspend an attack on Iran until Iranian leaders could reach a unified position. This refers to appeals from Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Trump added that the ceasefire would remain in place until such a position was presented and negotiations concluded. At the same time, he instructed the US military to continue the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and maintain combat readiness.
Less than an hour before the president’s statement, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the country was refusing to take part in the second round of talks, which was due to take place on 22 April in Islamabad. Representatives from Tehran conveyed this decision to the US side via an intermediary in Pakistan. The statement noted that participation in the talks was deemed inappropriate due to the US position.
Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, described the decision to extend the ceasefire as “a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike”. He also stated that Iran would not accept negotiations “under pressure” and characterised the continuation of the blockade as a “siege”.
Earlier, Trump had stated that he had no intention of extending the ceasefire and warned of the possibility of new strikes in the absence of an agreement. He has also repeatedly expressed varying views on the possibility of extending the ceasefire.
The first round of talks between the US and Iran took place on 11 April in Islamabad with delegations from both countries in attendance. No agreements were reached following the meeting.
