President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran and indefinitely delay a potential U.S. attack, saying he was following a request from Pakistani leaders. A fragile ceasefire in the region was due to expire on Wednesday.
“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 wrote Tuesday on Truth Social. “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,” he continued.
The comments came as a two-week ceasefire involving the U.S., Iran and Israel hit a fragile stretch, with no clear confirmation from Washington or Tehran that talks would proceed. The comments mark a reversal in tone from Trump, who said Tuesday morning on CNBC, “I expect to be bombing” and “the military is raring to go.”
Tensions remain high as the Strait of Hormuz, the critical global energy corridor, has been effectively shut down amid Iranian attacks and a U.S. naval blockade. The latter is a major sticking point with Iran, and Trump’s statement signaled it would remain in place.
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His post came after reports Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Islamabad was on hold, and that Iran was not sending its negotiating team either. A White House official confirmed that the trip to Pakistan would “not be happening today.”
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has called the blockade of Iranian ports a violation of the fragile ceasefire, and that the actions are “an act of war.”
On Sunday, U.S. Navy forces attacked, boarded and seized an Iranian ship. Iran has said that in attacking the ship, U.S. forces had violated international law, demanding the immediate release of the ship and those on board. It was the first such attack since the U.S. blockade of the strait began.
Following Trump’s announcement, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posted on X expressing gratitude to the president for “graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire.”
“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.”
Since the war began, at least 3,375 people in Iran, 2,290 people in Lebanon, 23 people in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed, according to The Associated Press.
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