US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington has extended the ceasefire with Iran and delayed a planned military strike following a request from Pakistan’s top leadership.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the United States agreed to hold off on military action after appeals from Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Trump claimed that Iran’s leadership is currently “seriously fractured” and requires time to present a unified proposal aimed at defusing the rapidly escalating crisis. He added that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iranian representatives submit their proposal and negotiations are concluded.
US military remains on alert
According to the statement, the US military has been instructed to maintain the existing blockade while remaining fully prepared for possible action.
Trump made it clear that while the truce has been extended, the blockade—particularly around the Strait of Hormuz—will not be lifted during the negotiation period.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/ATdRyY1qqK
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
The ceasefire had been scheduled to expire at 4:50 PM Pakistan Standard Time, but Trump confirmed it will remain in effect until Iran submits a revised proposal.
Also read: Trump Warns Iran Ceasefire May End as Deadline Nears
Pakistan steps in as mediator
The extension comes as Pakistan has assumed a leading mediating role in efforts to prevent direct military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later thanked Trump on X for agreeing to extend the ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, saying the move would allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a negotiated settlement and expressed hope that both sides would uphold the truce and work toward a comprehensive peace agreement during the next round of talks scheduled to be held in Islamabad.
Iran raises concerns over enforcement
Earlier reports suggested that Iran was reluctant to attend talks in Pakistan, arguing that the existing ceasefire framework lacked effective enforcement and was being undermined by continued maritime pressure from the US blockade.
Iran conveyed its concerns to Washington through Pakistani mediators shortly after news emerged that US Vice President JD Vance had canceled his planned visit to Pakistan.
Also read: Trump Told Asim Munir He Would Consider Advice on Strait of Hormuz During Iran Talks
Nearly two hours before Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi escalated tensions in a post on X, accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire.
He warned that blockading Iranian ports amounts to an “act of war” and said targeting commercial shipping and detaining crew members constituted a serious breach of the truce.
Araghchi added that Tehran “knows how to neutralize restrictions, defend its interests, and resist bullying.”
Trump announced the ceasefire extension at approximately 1:10 AM PKT.
