WASHINGTON — US president Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington would extend its ceasefire with Iran after Pakistani officials requested more time for Tehran to prepare a “unified proposal.”
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the request came from Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Trump said he had directed the US military to continue the blockade while remaining fully prepared for any developments.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” Trump said.
He also said in the post that Iran’s leadership had been “seriously fractured.”
The announcement came as a US delegation led by JD Vance had been expected to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday for a second round of direct talks with Iran.
However, US officials said the trip was delayed due to additional policy meetings at the White House.
The planned negotiations would have followed an earlier round of high-level talks in Pakistan this month that ended without a breakthrough.
The ceasefire, first announced earlier this month, had been due to expire on Wednesday.
Source: Saudi Gazette