President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran after earlier pledging to maintain the original Wednesday night deadline for a peace agreement.
“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,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
“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,” he said. Since April 13, the United States has maintained a blockade of vessels leaving Iranian ports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the extension, Iran had until Wednesday night to agree to a peace deal. When asked by CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Tuesday morning if he would extend the ceasefire to allow time for peace talks, Trump said, “Well, I don’t want to do that.”
Vice President JD Vance was expected to fly to Pakistan on Tuesday for a second round of negotiations with Iran, but the trip was reportedly delayed on Tuesday.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, joined Vance in a delegation to Islamabad on April 11, but the negotiations did not result in a deal.
When asked Tuesday morning what would happen if Iran wouldn’t make a deal, Trump said, “I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with.”
This story is developing and may be updated.