US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran just hours before it was set to expire, while also canceling a key diplomatic visit to Pakistan linked to US-Iran talks.
Trump announced the ceasefire extension on Tuesday, only hours before the truce was due to lapse on Wednesday. He said the decision was taken to give Iran additional time to prepare a “unified proposal,” following requests from Pakistani officials who urged more space for diplomacy.
JD Vance’s Pakistan visit called off
The White House confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance will not travel to Pakistan for the anticipated second round of US-Iran negotiations.
“The trip to Pakistan will not be happening today. Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House,” a senior official said in a statement.
Vance had been scheduled to lead a US delegation to Islamabad on Tuesday for face-to-face discussions with Iranian representatives. No new date has been announced for the visit.
According to the White House, the cancellation reflects Washington’s position that it is awaiting a cohesive and unified proposal from Iran before resuming direct negotiations.
“In light of President Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today,” a White House official told the press pool.
Talks stalled after earlier round
The planned Islamabad meeting was to follow an earlier round of high-level engagement hosted by Pakistan earlier this month. That initial phase ended without a breakthrough, prompting continued diplomatic efforts and behind-the-scenes mediation.
US officials also noted that the delay was partly influenced by additional policy meetings currently underway at the White House.
Trump cites divisions within Iran
Trump has attributed the slowdown in negotiations to internal divisions within Iran’s leadership, suggesting that political infighting is complicating Tehran’s ability to present a unified negotiating position.
At the same time, he acknowledged that Pakistan’s leadership played a role in seeking the ceasefire extension to prevent further escalation and keep diplomatic channels open.
Naval blockade remains in place
Despite the extension of the ceasefire, Washington continues to maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports, sustaining pressure on Tehran even as formal talks remain on hold.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said a planned US military strike against Iran had been postponed at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, to allow Iran’s leadership time to submit a joint proposal.
He said the ceasefire would remain in effect until Iran presents its proposal and negotiations reach a conclusion, adding that the US military has been instructed to maintain the blockade and remain fully prepared for any other contingencies.
Trump described Iran’s internal divisions as severe but “not unexpected,” leaving uncertainty over the next phase of US-Iran diplomacy as talks remain stalled despite the extended truce.
