Washington: US President Donald Trump revealed he is prolonging the ceasefire with Iran, attributing the move to appeals from Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreement holds until Iran submits a “unified proposal” and talks wrap up.
On social media, Trump stated he would “extend the Ceasefire” pending Iran’s “unified proposal” to resolve the conflict, while instructing the military to “continue the Blockade.”
This extension occurred just before the ceasefire’s anticipated end.
It marks another occasion where Trump has retreated from his prior warnings to strike Iran’s power plants and civilian sites actions condemned by UN Secretary General António Guterres and others as violations of international humanitarian law.
Iran and Israel offered no immediate responses.
The White House also announced that Vice President JD Vance would skip a planned trip to Pakistan for a prospective second round of peace discussions.
A White House official stated: “The trip to Pakistan will not be happening today. Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House.”
Trump blamed stalled talks on internal Iranian divisions, noting Pakistan’s leaders urged him to prolong the truce.
In a Truth Social post, he wrote: “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 confirmed the port blockade in Iran’s Strait of Hormuz coast would persist, with US forces “in all other respects, remain ready and able.”
He specified the ceasefire extension lasts “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed thanks to Trump for the extension, stating it supports continuing diplomacy.
In an X post, Sharif conveyed gratitude “on my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir” for Trump’s “gracious acceptance” of Pakistan’s request.
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.
With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026
Sharif voiced hope that both parties uphold the ceasefire and secure a full peace agreement in a second round of talks set for Islamabad.
Pakistani officials, including Sharif, pushed hard late Tuesday for both sides to commit to another ceasefire negotiation round, per two anonymous sources unauthorized to speak publicly.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on state TV there’s “no final decision” on attending due to “unacceptable actions” by the U.S likely alluding to the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
On Tuesday, Trump reported US forces seized a vessel bearing a “gift” from China to Iran, as Tehran seeks to replenish supplies amid the ceasefire.
The shipment was “a gift from China”, which “wasn’t very nice,” Trump said on CNBC. “I was a little surprised,” he noted, mentioning his belief in an “understanding” with China’s President Xi Jinping.
A week prior, Trump shared that Xi had promised no Chinese arms shipments to Iran, a longtime Beijing ally.
Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said US forces intercepted a ship carrying a “gift” to Iran from China as Tehran tries to restock its military during the ceasefire period.
The ship had “a gift from China”, which “wasn’t very nice”, Trump told CNBC. “I was a little surprised,” he added, saying he thought he had an “understanding” with China’s President Xi Jinping.
A week ago, Trump announced that Xi had assured him there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran, a close partner with Beijing for years.
