President Trump announced on Tuesday that he will be extending a ceasefire agreement with Iran. The announcement comes as the previous ceasefire agreement was set to expire on Wednesday evening.
In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said the extension will give Iran’s remaining leadership more time to draft a proposal for negotiations with the U.S.
“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,” President Trump said.
The president previously said an extension of the ceasefire was unlikely, and earlier on Tuesday accused Iran of violating the existing agreement “numerous times.” An attempted round of negotiations was held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11, but it concluded without a deal. The U.S. delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance and including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to return to Pakistan for further negotiations.
As part of the strategy to bring the conflict to an end, President Trump imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz to increase pressure on Iran by restricting revenue and the commercial transportation of oil. In announcing a continuation of the ceasefire, he indicated that the blockade would remain in place and that the U.S. military presence would remain in position to strike if an agreement is not reached.
“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,” President Trump said.
