Africa Asia Australia Trump Iran Negotiations Truce Extension Awaits Tehran Proposal

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is extending the ceasefire between the United States and Iran at Pakistan’s request, while maintaining the U.S. Naval blockade of Iranian ports and awaiting a formal proposal from Tehran to permanently end the conflict.

The extension comes as the initial ceasefire was set to expire on Wednesday evening Eastern Time, with Trump stating he did not want to let it lapse without a path forward. He emphasized that the U.S. Would continue its military blockade of Iranian ports despite the truce extension.

Trump made the announcement amid heightened diplomatic activity in Islamabad, where Vice President JD Vance had been expected to lead U.S. Negotiations with Iranian officials. However, following Trump’s statement, the White House confirmed that Vance’s trip to Pakistan was called off for the day.

Iranian officials have dismissed the extension as meaningless, with a senior adviser stating that Tehran should respond militarily to the U.S. Move. Earlier, Iran’s foreign minister characterized the American naval blockade as an “act of war” and a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Despite the ceasefire, Trump reiterated his position that lifting the blockade would jeopardize prospects for peace unless the U.S. Takes extreme measures. In a Truth Social post, he claimed Iran seeks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to generate approximately $500 million per day in revenue, but only publicly advocates for its closure due to the U.S. Blockade.

Trump argued that reopening the strait without dismantling Iran’s leadership would make a permanent deal impossible, stating, “there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” He added that officials had approached him days earlier saying Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strait.

Pakistani officials continue to mediate behind the scenes to bring Iran back to negotiations before the two-week ceasefire expires. While expressing cautious hope that Tehran might send a negotiating team by Wednesday, analysts note that recent U.S. Escalatory actions have complicated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.

At least nine U.S. Aircraft have landed in Pakistan over the past three days, transporting personnel and equipment for the Vance-led negotiation team. Vance was originally scheduled to depart the U.S. On Tuesday evening Pakistan time and arrive in Islamabad late Wednesday morning.

The conflict between the U.S. And Iran, now in its eighth week, remains tense as both sides hold firm to their positions, with the U.S. Maintaining military pressure while awaiting a concrete proposal from Tehran to end hostilities permanently.