President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, citing Pakistan’s mediation efforts and Tehran’s delayed response to U.S. Negotiating terms.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the military would maintain the naval blockade of Iranian ports while keeping forces ready to resume action if talks fail. He emphasized that the extension allows time for Iran’s leadership to submit a unified proposal, noting that the previous ceasefire deadline had been set to expire on Wednesday.
The decision follows a request from Pakistan, which has been facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Earlier on Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance canceled a planned trip to Islamabad after receiving no confirmation from Iran on its participation in the peace talks. Officials said Vance could travel immediately should Iran respond affirmatively.
Trump expressed confidence that a deal could still be reached, saying, “We’re going to end up with a great deal,” while warning that Iran would face consequences if negotiations collapse. Iranian officials have insisted they will not negotiate “under the shadow of threat,” with one top negotiator warning they have prepared “new cards on the battlefield” should hostilities resume.
The U.S. Has intensified pressure on Iran through maritime interdictions, including the seizure of a sanctioned tanker overnight, which Pentagon officials said was part of broader efforts to disrupt support for Tehran. Iran condemned the seizure of a cargo ship by American forces and vowed retaliation, further raising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran’s forensics chief, nearly 3,400 people have been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began on February 28. The humanitarian toll has drawn attention from international observers, with representatives from over a dozen foreign diplomatic missions and UN offices visiting damaged sites in Tehran on April 20.
The extension of the ceasefire preserves the window for diplomacy amid stalled talks, though both sides remain prepared for escalation. The development underscores the fragile state of U.S.-Iran relations and the high stakes involved in efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.
