Washington, Apr 21 (EFE). – United States President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that, at Pakistan’s request, he has decided to extend the ceasefire until Iran presents a proposal for an agreement.
»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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump justified his decision by asserting that “the Government of Iran is seriously fractured,” and that the Pakistani government, acting as mediator, asked him “to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”
Despite extending the ceasefire, Trump stated that he is maintaining the US naval blockade against Iranian ships, ordered upon the failure of the first round of negotiations with Iran on Apr. 11 and 12.
US Vice President JD Vance had planned to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday morning for a second round of negotiations, but suspended the visit since Tehran did not officially confirm its participation.
Trump met at the White House with the country’s National Security leadership just hours before the two-week ceasefire declared in early April was set to expire on Wednesday.
In addition to Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law attended the meeting.
Trump decided to extend the truce indefinitely despite having stated earlier that same Tuesday in an interview with CNBC that he did not intend to extend it.
The speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohamad Baqer Ghalibaf, who is leading the Tehran delegation, warned early Tuesday morning that his country does not accept «negotiations under the shadow of threat.» EFE
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