A few hours before the ceasefire expired and despite having assured that he would not extend it, US President Donald Trump backed down and announced on Tuesday an indefinite truce in Iran to give time for negotiations with the regime of the ayatollahs. In a publication on his Social Truth network, the Republican leader announced that he would extend the cease-fire until the Iranian government, which in his opinion is “severely divided”, presents “a proposal and concludes negotiations, whatever the outcome”.
Trump said he made this decision at the request of Pakistan, which is acting as mediator, specifically Army Chief Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with whom he has had a very good relationship since Washington mediated last year in the Pakistan-India conflict.
A day of uncertainty
#RevistaTyT | Trump extends ceasefire until Iran submits unified proposalhttps://t.co/CDKN8PMu5t
– revistatyt (@revistatyt) April 21, 2026
Trump’s announcement came after a heart-stopping day, with uncertainty mounting as the end of the truce in place since April 6 and set to expire this Wednesday drew near.
US Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to travel as early as Tuesday to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations with Iranian authorities.
But he canceled his trip because Tehran did not commit to participate in the talks, further adding to the unrest.
By contrast, Trump convened an emergency meeting at the White House with his Homeland Security team.
The meeting was attended by Vance himself, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
In addition, White House special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner – Trump’s son-in-law – who were also expected to travel to Islamabad, had to change their plans and fly from Miami to Washington to join the meeting.
Trump promised not to extend the truce
Donald Trump singled out Iran for breaching the ceasefire on “numerous occasions.”
Moreover, despite Iran’s refusal to continue peace negotiations, Trump asserted that an agreement will be reached as “they have no other choice.” https://t.co/708yJDUxE2
– Animal Político (@Pajaropolitico) April 21, 2026
The announcement of an indefinite ceasefire to Iran comes despite the fact that Trump had stated on several occasions that he did not intend to extend the truce.
Something he repeated again this Tuesday in an interview with CNBC.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” the U.S. leader declared.
He assured that “Iran can put itself in a very strong position if they reach an agreement.”
Trump further warned that, in case there was no agreement, he would resume “bombing” against the Islamic Republic.
The U.S. leader, a former real estate tycoon, thus repeats the negotiating pattern that characterizes him.
And that consists of taking the pressure to the last extreme and then changing position and giving space for dialogue.
The latest ceasefire in the offensive against Iran was announced two weeks ago, after threatening that “an entire civilization” was going to die, in reference to the Iranian people.
The second round of contacts, in the air
Vance won’t be going to Pakistan on Tuesday, WH says
United States Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Pakistan for peace
talks with Iran won’t be taking place on Tuesday, CNN reported, citing a White House official.
“In light of Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United…
– Stare Decisis (@MsResJudicata) April 21, 2026
The second round of talks in Islamabad remains up in the air as the positions of Washington and Tehran continue to clash.
JD Vance led the U.S. delegation to the first round of contacts in the Pakistani capital on April 11-12.
That it was the highest level meeting between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution but concluded without agreement.
Since then, Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to conduct a naval blockade against Iranian ships and ports, which remains in place despite the ceasefire.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohamad Baqer Qalibaf, who leads Tehran’s delegation, warned Tuesday that his country does not accept “negotiations under the shadow of threat.”
No agreement
Donald Trump announced the extension of the truce with Iran and the Ormuz blockade https://t.co/rn3GtK1HMs
– Ámbito Financiero (@Ambitocom) April 21, 2026
The parties have not been able to agree on resolving free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key route for crude oil trade blocked by Tehran following the US-Israeli offensive launched on February 28.
I don't what to do that. We don't have that much time
Donald Trump
And that ended the life of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Nor have they found a consensus on the nuclear issue, since Washington is demanding an end to uranium enrichment.
And that the Islamic Republic renounce obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Tehran defends its nuclear program for peaceful and scientific purposes.
With information from EFE
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