21. April 2026

Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire Indefinitely, Says Blockade Will Remain

WASHINGTON-- President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is extending the ceasefire in the U.S. conflict with Iran until negotiations between the two countries are completed, reversing earlier statements that he would not grant additional time.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision came at the request of Pakistan and cited internal divisions within Iran’s government as a key reason for the delay in reaching an agreement. He said Iranian leaders need more time to present a unified position in ongoing talks.

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able,” Trump wrote, adding that the ceasefire will remain in place until Iran submits a proposal and discussions are “concluded, one way or the other.”

Iranian officials have not publicly responded to the extension.

The ceasefire, initially set for two weeks, had been scheduled to expire Tuesday night. In recent days, Trump had suggested it might instead run through Wednesday, while also indicating he was disinclined to prolong it further. He had previously warned that U.S. military operations, including a potential bombing campaign, would resume once the pause ended.

Speaking earlier Tuesday in an interview with CNBC, Trump struck a more hardline tone, expressing reluctance about extending the truce even if negotiations were progressing.

“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, adding, “I expect to be bombing, because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with. But we’re ready to go — the military is raring to go.”

The extension introduces additional uncertainty into the timeline for both diplomatic efforts and any potential resumption of hostilities, as talks between Washington and Tehran continue behind closed doors.