U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran, just hours before it was due to lapse, in a move aimed at allowing further peace negotiations to proceed following weeks of conflict that have caused significant loss of life and economic disruption.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Trump said he had agreed to a request from Pakistan, which has been facilitating talks between the two sides, “to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”
Reuters cited on Wednesday that the decision marks a notable retreat from earlier threats of renewed military action.
The extension, however, appears to have been declared unilaterally by Washington.
There has been no immediate confirmation that Iran, or U.S. ally Israel, supports prolonging the truce, which first came into effect two weeks ago.
Trump also confirmed that the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports and coastline would remain in force, a measure Tehran has described as an act of war.
Iranian officials responded with scepticism.
The Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported that Tehran had not sought an extension and reiterated warnings that it could act to break the blockade.
Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, dismissed the announcement outright, stating: “Trump’s ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike. The time for Iran to take the initiative has come.”
Trump indicated the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran submits a proposal and talks are concluded “one way or the other”.
The announcement follows a pattern of last-minute reversals by Trump, who had earlier threatened widespread strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
Such threats have drawn condemnation from international figures, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who has stressed that international humanitarian law prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian facilities.
Trump justified his decision by pointing to what he described as instability within Iran’s leadership, following a series of targeted killings by U.S. and Israeli forces, including that of the country’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has since been succeeded by his son.
The ongoing U.S. naval blockade remains a major obstacle in negotiations, contributing to uncertainty over whether a second round of talks in Islamabad will proceed.
Earlier in the day, Trump had suggested he was disinclined to extend the truce, stating that U.S. forces were “raring to go”, and asserting in a television interview that Washington held a strong negotiating position and would secure “a great deal”.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the extension, thanking Trump for “graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.”
He added: “I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict.”
It remains unclear when, or indeed whether, that next round of negotiations will take place.
US Intercepted China-Linked Shipment Bound for Iran
Earlier, Trump claimed that American forces intercepted a vessel carrying what he described as a “gift” from China to Iran, raising fresh concerns over military activity during an ongoing ceasefire.
Speaking to CNBC, Trump said the ship was transporting a consignment from Beijing that he characterised as “not very good”, suggesting it could be linked to efforts by Tehran to rebuild its military capabilities.
“I think I have an understanding with President Xi Jinping,” Trump said, expressing surprise at the development.
The remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of foreign involvement in the Iran conflict, particularly during the current pause in hostilities.
Trump indicated that the alleged shipment ran counter to prior assurances from Beijing.
Last week, he said Xi had given guarantees that China would not send weapons to Iran, a long-standing strategic partner of Beijing.
The claim has not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate response from Chinese or Iranian officials. - April 22, 2026
