Trump extends ceasefire with Iran, citing 'seriously fractured' Iranian government
22 Apr 2026 07:58 AM
Trump extends ceasefire with Iran, citing 'seriously fractured' Iranian government
The US president's announcement appeared to be unilateral, with Iran yet to officially comment.
Vehicles and motorbikes drive along a street adorned with the Iranian flag, in Tehran on Apr 21 2026, amid a ceasefire in the region. (Photo: AFP/ATTA KENARE)
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Apr 21) he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, hours before it was set to expire, to allow the two countries to continue peace talks to end a war that has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy.
Backing down from threats of new violence earlier in the day, Trump said in a statement he had agreed to a request by Pakistan, which has mediated peace talks in the seven-week-old war, until Iran's "leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal".
Trump also said he decided to extend the ceasefire because "the government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so," a reference to US-Israeli assassinations of some of the country's leaders, including the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been succeeded by his son.
He added he would continue the US Navy's blockade of Iran's ports and shore, which Tehran has called an act of war.
His announcement appeared to be unilateral, and it was not immediately clear whether Iran, or Israel, would agree to extend the ceasefire, which first began two weeks ago.
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US Navy blockade "directly targets" Iran's revenue streams: Bessent
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reiterated that the US Navy's blockade of Iranian ports will continue.
"As @POTUS has made clear, the United States Navy will continue the blockade of Iranian ports. In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in. Constraining Iran’s maritime trade directly targets the regime’s primary revenue lifelines," he said on X.
"The @USTreasury will continue to apply maximum pressure through Economic Fury to systematically degrade Tehran’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds."
Kharg Island handles 90 per cent of Tehran’s oil exports, making it one of its most critical economic lifelines.
Bessent also warned that any person or ship facilitating such flows - through covert trade or finance - risks exposure to US sanctions.
"We continue to freeze the funds stolen by the corrupt leadership on behalf of the people of Iran."
Pakistan PM thanks Trump
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked Trump for "graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course".
"I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive 'Peace Deal' during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict," Sharif wrote on social media.
It was not clear when, or if, that second round of peace talks would be scheduled.
Hello
President Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran, following a request from Pakistan to allow more time for peace talks.
However, a White House official said that negotiations in Pakistan “will not be happening today”.
Stay with us for the latest developments.
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