• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Trump extends Iran ceasefire indefinitely on Pakistan's request.
  2. Move aims for unified Iranian peace proposal, delays US visit.
  3. Economic blockade on Iran's ports to remain in effect.

US President Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran at the request of mediator Pakistan, saying the move was aimed at giving Tehran's fractured leadership time to come up with a unified proposal to end the seven-week war. The dramatic announcement came just hours before the two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 was set to expire, and effectively delayed the planned visit of a US delegation led by Vice President J D Vance to Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian interlocutors.

Hormuz blockade to continue

However, Trump made it clear that the US will refrain from attacking Iran only until its leadership presents a unified proposal for negotiations. He said the economic blockade of Iran's ports will remain in place.

Vance and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday, but the White House said the delegation's "trip to Pakistan will not be happening today (Tuesday)."

Trump puts blame of ceasefire on Pakistan

"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," Trump said in a statement on Tuesday.

The US President said he had "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".

The announcement capped days of intense diplomatic activity among officials in Washington, Islamabad and Tehran aimed at producing a draft proposal acceptable to all sides. Witkoff and Kushner were due to leave Miami for Islamabad on Tuesday morning but were instead asked to join "additional meetings" at the White House. Vance, who was also scheduled to travel to Pakistan, joined the deliberations in Washington.

Trump's tone shift

The decision to extend the ceasefire marked a significant shift in Trump's tone. Earlier on Tuesday, he said that if a deal was not reached by Wednesday, he expected to "be bombing, because that is a better attitude to go in with." He added that the military was "raring to go."

ALSO READ: Islamabad Peace Talks 2.0 Not Happening? Pakistan Says No Confirmation From Iran As Ceasefire Nears End

Trump made no reference to the conflict or the negotiations with Iran during his only public appearance of the day, when he addressed NCAA collegiate national champions at the White House on Tuesday afternoon.

Pakistan continues to present vote of thanks 

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire with Iran and expressed hope that both sides would be able to "conclude a comprehensive peace deal" to end the conflict.

Following Trump's announcement, Sharif in a post on X, said, "On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course."

ALSO READ: Trump Accuses Iran Of Repeated Ceasefire Violations As Islamabad Talks 2.0 Hang In Balance, Hints At 'No Extension'

Sharif said that with the "trust and confidence reposed in (it), Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict." "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," he added.

(With inputs from agency)

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