Trump extends Iran ceasefire as talks stall

“I will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted,” Trump wrote.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday afternoon that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran, reversing earlier signals that he opposed prolonging the truce, as diplomatic uncertainty deepens.

In a statement, Trump said the decision came following a request from Pakistani officials, including Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing internal divisions within Iran’s leadership.

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able,” Trump said, adding that the ceasefire would remain in place “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded.”

Iranian officials swiftly dismissed Trump’s announcement. An adviser to parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf described the extension as “illogical,” warning it was “a ploy to buy time for a surprise attack,” and claimed that “Iran now holds the initiative.”

The announcement came shortly after reports that Vice President J.D. Vance’s planned trip to Islamabad had been canceled, following Iran’s decision not to participate in the expected round of talks. The sudden shift raised questions about the viability of near-term negotiations.

Trump’s move also marked a notable change in tone from earlier Tuesday, when he said he did not support extending the truce. “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said in an interview, emphasizing that the U.S. was negotiating from a position of strength and expected to secure a strong deal.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi sharply criticized U.S. actions, describing the naval blockade as “an act of war” and accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire.

“Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation,” he wrote, adding that Iran “knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying.”

For now, the ceasefire remains in place, but the path forward remains uncertain as both sides wait for the next move.