Trump extends truce with Iran at Pakistan's request
US President Donald Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire regime with Iran, citing 'serious divisions' within the Iranian government and a request from Pakistani leadership.
At the same time, the American naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to him, will continue.
Trump made the corresponding statement on his social network, Truth Social. The post appeared as the current truce, which came into effect on April 8, was set to expire on Wednesday.
'Given that the Iranian government is seriously divided—which is not surprising—and at the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we have been asked to suspend our attack on the country of Iran until their leaders and representatives can develop a unified proposal,' the American president stated.
'Therefore, I have ordered our armed forces to continue the blockade and in all other respects remain ready and capable of action. Accordingly, I will extend the ceasefire regime until their proposal is presented and negotiations are somehow concluded,' he added.
Pakistan's role
Islamabad has emerged as a key mediator between Washington and Tehran in recent weeks. According to international agencies, Pakistani authorities are conducting 'intensive mediation efforts' to facilitate a second round of talks between the US and Iran in their capital. The process involves Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as the Prime Minister's Adviser on National Security.
It was previously reported that Field Marshal Munir was sent to Tehran for negotiations with Iranian leadership.
Blockade persists
Despite the extension of the truce, economic pressure on Iran remains unrelenting. Last week, the US imposed a full naval blockade on Iranian ports, and on Sunday, American forces seized the Iranian merchant vessel Touska in the Arabian Sea—the first incident of its kind since the blockade began. Iran's mission to the UN called the seizure 'a gross violation of international law and an act of aggression with signs of piracy.'
On the same day, the semi-official Iranian agency Tasnim, linked to the IRGC, reported that the Strait of Hormuz is once again 'closed until further notice.'
Negotiations in question
According to several American media outlets, a trip by US Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad for the second round of talks was postponed after the Iranian side refused to accept American conditions. Iranian state television also stated that 'no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad.'
In an interview with CNBC, Trump expressed confidence in the success of diplomacy, noting that Iran 'has no choice' and will be forced to send negotiators. At the same time, in a conversation with journalists, the American president did not rule out the resumption of strikes: 'I expect to be bombing because it’s better to go in with that mindset.'
Based on materials from Truth Social, CBS News, Fox News, PBS News.
