US president Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran, citing a request from Pakistan and the need to give Tehran time to present a unified peace proposal, even as negotiations remain stalled and tensions persist.
The announcement came just hours before the two-week ceasefire, declared on 8 April 2026, was set to expire. Trump said the extension was aimed at allowing Iran’s 'seriously fractured' leadership to consolidate its position and engage meaningfully in talks.
“I am extending the ceasefire till such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Mr Trump says, adding that the move followed appeals from Pakistan’s leadership, including prime minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir.
The extension comes amid a breakdown in diplomatic efforts, with Iran refusing to participate in a second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad. According to Iranian media reports, Tehran conveyed through Pakistani mediators that it would not attend negotiations and saw 'no prospect' of joining discussions under current conditions.
Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that Iranian representatives would not be present for the planned talks.
The development also forced the postponement of a US delegation visit led by vice-president JD Vance, along with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The White House says the delegation’s trip to Islamabad 'will not be happening today'.
While extending the ceasefire, president Trump made it clear that the US would continue its naval blockade of Iranian ports, a key sticking point in the conflict. The blockade has significantly disrupted global energy flows, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for about 20% of global oil and gas supplies.
Iran has insisted that lifting the blockade is a precondition for returning to negotiations. State-linked media outlets warned that Tehran would not reopen the Strait fully under pressure and could escalate if restrictions persist.
The ceasefire extension marks a shift in tone from president Trump, who earlier in the day had warned of possible military action if Iran did not agree to US terms. “I expect to be bombing Iran” if no deal is reached, he had said in an interview, before later announcing the extension.
Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that a deal is within reach but has set stringent conditions, including Iran abandoning its nuclear ambitions, surrendering enriched uranium stockpiles and ending its missile programme—demands that Tehran is unlikely to accept.
President Trump acknowledged that Iran’s leadership remains divided following a series of military strikes that eliminated key figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, the expected emergence of a more negotiable leadership has not materialised, with hardline factions, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), appearing to hold sway.
The situation on the ground remains volatile, with the ceasefire offering temporary relief but little clarity on a long-term resolution. Analysts note that the continuation of the blockade, coupled with stalled diplomacy, keeps the risk of escalation alive.
For now, the ceasefire extension provides a narrow window for renewed negotiations, but with both sides holding firm positions, prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.
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