President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended a two-week U.S. ceasefire with Iran, citing what he described as a “seriously fractured” government in Tehran.
Trump said the truce, which he had previously indicated would expire on Wednesday, would now remain in effect “until such time as” Iran’s leadership presents a “unified proposal” to end the conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The announcement followed reports that a planned visit by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for a second round of peace negotiations had been postponed.
It also came after Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran’s negotiators had informed U.S. officials, via an intermediary in Pakistan, that they would not attend further talks.
“Iran ultimately announced today that under these circumstances, attending the negotiations is a waste of time because the US prevents reaching any suitable agreement,” Tasnim reported.
An adviser to the speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, described Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire as “a ploy to buy time” for a potential surprise strike, according to Reuters.
The adviser also warned in a post on X that the continued U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports was “no different from bombardment” and “must be met with a military response,” Reuters reported.
Earlier in the day, Trump signalled reluctance to prolong the truce. Speaking in an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, he said, “I don’t want to do that,” when asked whether he would extend the ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said in a statement.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” the president said.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, have accused Washington of violating commitments outlined in a 10-point framework proposed by Tehran at the outset of the fragile ceasefire.
A central point of contention remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments, which Iran effectively closed at the start of the conflict. Trump said the ceasefire was contingent on the full reopening of the passage.
However, traffic through the strait has remained limited. Following the collapse of an initial round of peace talks, Trump ordered a U.S. Navy blockade of Iranian ports near the waterway.
