President Donald Trump announced Tuesday afternoon that the U.S.-Iran ceasefire will not expire as originally planned, extending the truce indefinitely. The decision came hours after Trump had insisted the ceasefire would not be extended, citing Iran's fractured government and requests from Pakistani officials.
Ceasefire Move Follows Whiplash Day
In a Truth Social post, Trump acknowledged the 'seriously fractured' state of the Iranian government and mentioned a request from Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan to delay potential military action until Iran could present a unified proposal. The naval blockade of Iranian ports, however, remains in place.
'We will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded,' Trump wrote.
The announcement marked a reversal from Trump’s morning comments on CNBC’s 'Squawk Box,' where he stated he did not plan to extend the ceasefire and expressed confidence in reaching a 'great deal.' Markets reacted sharply to the uncertainty, with stocks initially rising on diplomatic optimism before falling following reports of stalled peace talks.
Naval Blockade Continues
Iranian representatives have maintained their refusal to engage in further talks while under blockade, a stance Trump initially dismissed. The ceasefire extension, however, suggests a potential opening for renewed dialogue.