United States / Iran,Apr23(BNP): U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite extension of the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, aiming to provide additional time for continued peace negotiations between the two nations.
The decision comes as the initial two-week truce was set to expire. In a statement shared on Truth Social, President Trump said the extension was made at the request of Pakistan to facilitate further diplomatic engagement. However, he made it clear that the U.S. Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas will remain in place until Tehran presents a “unified proposal” for resolution.
The continuation of the blockade—described by Iranian authorities as an act of war—remains a major point of contention. The announcement appears to be unilateral, with no immediate confirmation from Iran or key U.S. ally Israel on extending the ceasefire.
Iran’s senior leadership has not officially responded, though the Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that Iran had not requested any extension and reiterated warnings of possible action to break the blockade.
In a related development, the White House has postponed Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Islamabad for a second round of talks, amid ongoing uncertainty in negotiations with Tehran.
Meanwhile, the United States has imposed fresh sanctions targeting Iran-linked networks. The US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control announced measures against 14 individuals, entities, and aircraft involved in procuring and transporting weapons components for Iran. Those sanctioned are reportedly based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The situation remains fluid, with global attention focused on whether the extended ceasefire will lead to meaningful progress in peace talks or further escalation in the region.
