Washington: US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, while Tehran has yet to respond to the decision.
Trump pushed back the end of the two-week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and saying Iran’s leadership needed more time to present a unified proposal. However, he maintained that the US blockade of Iranian ports would continue.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said keeping pressure on Iran, including restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz, was essential for securing a deal, calling it a critical route for global oil and gas exports.
He indicated that US forces had been directed to maintain the blockade and remain prepared, while extending the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal.
The extension came hours after the original deadline passed without any immediate reports of renewed military activity. Iran had earlier stated the ceasefire would end at midnight GMT but has not officially responded to the extension.
The move has left the fate of Pakistan-hosted peace talks uncertain. A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Islamabad as previously planned, pending clarity from Tehran.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the extension, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed support for continued diplomatic efforts.
As tensions persist, Iran has warned it could target Gulf oil facilities if its neighbours allow their territory to be used for attacks after the ceasefire.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the blockade would continue, aiming to restrict Iran’s oil exports and maritime trade, which he described as key sources of revenue.
Meanwhile, the US Defence Department confirmed that its forces had intercepted and boarded a vessel linked to Iranian activity as part of enforcement measures.
Despite the ceasefire, both sides have accused each other of violations, while residents in Tehran reported worsening conditions.
Analysts say the standoff reflects a broader struggle for political leverage rather than direct military confrontation.
Separately, on another front, Israel and Lebanon are set to hold fresh talks in Washington, following a separate ceasefire involving Hezbollah. However, sporadic violence has continued, with casualties reported in southern Lebanon.
The situation remains fluid, with global markets reacting cautiously amid hopes that ongoing diplomatic efforts could lead to a broader resolution of the conflict.
