US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran and ordered the continuation of the naval blockade, stating that Tehran must first present a “unified proposal” before any further talks can proceed.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/ATdRyY1qqK
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time), Trump said the decision followed a request from Pakistan’s leadership and due to internal divisions within Iran’s government.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured… 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,” the US President stated.
“I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade… and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” he added.
The announcement came just hours before the two-week ceasefire was set to expire, leaving the next round of peace talks in uncertainty.
Following the extension, US Vice-President JD Vance cancelled his planned visit to Islamabad for the second round of negotiations with Iran. A White House official confirmed that the trip would not proceed as Washington awaits clarity from Tehran.
Iran rejects US terms, accuses Washington of ceasefire violation
Iran has not confirmed its participation in the talks and has demanded that the US lift the blockade as a precondition for returning to negotiations, according to reports.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of breaching the truce, saying, “Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire,” and added that “striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.”
Pakistan, which has been mediating the talks, welcomed the extension. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for “graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.”
On his personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Sharif said: “With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of 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.”
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
Despite the extension, tensions remain high. Earlier in the day, Trump warned that military action remains an option if negotiations fail.
“Well, I expect to be bombing… the military is raring to go,” he said in an interview.
US blockade tightens grip as 28 vessels turned away
The US has maintained pressure through a sweeping maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports and oil shipments. Officials say at least 28 vessels have been ordered to turn around or return to port since the blockade began on April 13.
Iran has responded with threats to escalate. Reports citing Iranian media said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the blockade remains and could “break the blockade by force, if necessary.”
Iranian state media (IRIB) reported that Iran has rejected the US conditions for negotiations and described Trump’s extension of the ceasefire as unilateral. IRIB quoted Trump as saying the decision came at the request of Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, said Tehran has received signs indicating that the United States may be ready to end the naval blockade. However, he formally urged the UN to press the US to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, along with its crew and their families.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, Iravani raised “urgent concern” over what he described as ongoing violations of international law by the United States, including the deliberate targeting of Iranian commercial ships.
He detailed the capture of the Touska in the Sea of Oman near Iran’s coast a day earlier, calling it a “hostile and unlawful act” involving “coercion, intimidation, and reckless endangerment of the lives of the ship’s crew and their families.” Iravani described the seizure as “maritime piracy” and a dangerous escalation.
The diplomatic standoff has left both sides in a holding pattern, with the ceasefire extended but no clear path to negotiations.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted global energy markets, particularly due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for oil shipments that carries a significant share of global crude supply.
(With inputs from IANS and ANI)
