Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, April 21, said: “I have… 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.”
A local Iranian news outlet on Tuesday reported that the adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf has said that Trump’s ceasefire extension is “certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike,” adding: “The losing side cannot dictate terms.”
The adviser reportedly went on to state that the “time for Iran to take initiative has come”.
Iranian state media reported that the country had not requested an extension of the ceasefire.
The US has been engaged in conflict with Iran since February 28, when it launched joint strikes alongside Israel on several key Iranian targets. Iran hit back by striking locations across the Middle East and sealing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s traded oil passes.
While a short-term ceasefire remains in place from the US perspective, both nations have thus far been unable to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict.
The US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports within the strait in a bid to strangle Iranian trade, lift the closure and pile pressure on negotiations. Iranian state media announced on Tuesday that Iran has no intention of reopening the Strait of Hormuz while the naval blockade remains in place, and has vowed to break through the blockade by force if required.
The White House said in a statement that US Vice President JD Vance and the US negotiating delegation would not be traveling to Pakistan on Tuesday.
The White House did not offer any additional updates on the possibility of in-person meetings, which were reportedly set to take place on Wednesday.
