Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire to Buy Time for Nuclear Deal Talks

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, stating that the pause in hostilities will continue until Iran submits a unified proposal for negotiations and discussions are concluded.

The decision comes despite Trump’s earlier statements that he would not extend the deadline, which was set to expire on Wednesday evening. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was granting the extension at Pakistan’s request and cited Iran’s “seriously fractured” government as the reason for the delay, giving Iranian officials more time to present a cohesive negotiating position.

“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 Tuesday afternoon.

The original two-week ceasefire was established two weeks prior to pause hostilities between the United States and Iran, allowing both sides additional time to negotiate. Senior-level talks had stalled after an initial meeting in Islamabad, where Trump accused Iran of refusing to reach a deal on its nuclear program that he considers acceptable.

Despite the extension, Trump reiterated his position that he expects to resume bombing if negotiations fail, telling NBC News earlier that he believes a military approach may be preferable. “Well, I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, adding that the U.S. Military remains ready to act.

Trump also maintained that Iran has “no choice” but to engage in talks, suggesting that Tehran must send a delegation to Pakistan for discussions. However, he acknowledged that Vice President JD Vance would not be traveling to Pakistan, contrary to earlier expectations.

The U.S. Naval blockade of Iran’s ports remains in place as part of the ongoing pressure campaign. Trump warned that lifting the blockade would make a deal impossible unless the United States resorted to extreme measures, stating on Truth Social that “there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!”

Iran has not publicly responded to the ceasefire extension. The country’s top negotiator previously warned that Tehran would not negotiate “under the shadow of threat” and has prepared for the possibility of renewed conflict, signaling readiness to resume hostilities if talks collapse.

The situation remains fluid, with the ceasefire’s continuation dependent on Iran’s ability to produce a unified proposal and the willingness of both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue. For now, the pause in fighting holds, but the threat of renewed military action persists should diplomatic efforts falter.