US President Donald Trump a short while ago announced on Truth Social that Washington has extended the ceasefire and delayed a planned military strike against Iran following a request from Pakistan’s top leadership.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump claimed the United States agreed to hold off on military action on requests by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Trump said the Iranian government is currently “seriously fractured” and requires time for its leadership to present a unified proposal aimed at resolving the escalating crisis.
According to the statement, the US military has been instructed to maintain an ongoing blockade while remaining fully prepared for possible action.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/ATdRyY1qqK
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
Trump added that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iranian representatives submit their proposal and negotiations conclude.
Today’s extension of the ceasefire comes as Pakistan has taken on a lead mediating role to keep both US and Iran from attacking each other.
The ceasefire was expected to end at 4:50 APM Pakistani Standard Time today. Until the Iranian side submits a new proposal, truce will remain in effect. According to Trump, the Hormuz blockade will not be lifted in the meantime.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif went on X to thank Trump for agreeing to extend the ceasefire following Pakistan’s request, saying the move would allow diplomatic efforts to continue.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to pursuing a negotiated settlement and expressed hope that both sides would uphold the truce and reach a comprehensive peace agreement during the next round of talks scheduled in Islamabad.
Earlier, it was reported that Iran wasn’t going to attend the talks with the United States in Pakistan because it argued that the current ceasefire framework lacked effective enforcement and was undermined by continued maritime pressure from the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran conveyed its decision to Washington through Pakistani mediators shortly after news that US Vice President JD Vance had canceled his planned visit to Pakistan.
Almost two hours before Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that escalated tensions further by accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire, warning that blockading Iranian ports amounts to an “act of war.”
He said targeting commercial shipping and detaining crew members constituted an even more serious breach of the truce, adding that Tehran “knows how to neutralize restrictions, defend its interests, and resist bullying.”
Trump announced the extended ceasefire around 1:10 AM PKT.
