The United States (U.S) president Donald Trump on Tuesday, April 21, extended a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely at the request of Pakistan, which has been mediating talks, until the country responds to the U.S negotiating positions or until talks reach a dead end.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said Iran’s government is seriously fractured, making it difficult for its leaders to present a coherent negotiating position.
He said the move follows a direct request from Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, and Asim Munir, field marshal, who urged Washington to hold off any military strike on Iran.
“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 Iran until their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump wrote.
“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 their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
The development comes amid heightened U.S-Iran tensions that escalated earlier this month over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Pakistan has played a key mediating role in back-channel diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, with Sharif and Munir acting as intermediaries to prevent further escalation.
Meanwhile, no timeline has been given for when Iran must submit its unified proposal or when discussions are expected to be concluded.
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