Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension as Iran Talks Face Uncertainty

Washington, April 2026 : US President Donald Trump has indicated that it is “highly unlikely” he will extend the ongoing two-week ceasefire with Iran if a deal is not reached before its expiration later this week. His remarks come amid rising tensions and uncertainty over the next round of negotiations between the two countries.

Speaking in a phone interview, Trump made it clear that the ceasefire, which he announced on April 7, will end on Wednesday evening (US Eastern Time) and may not be prolonged without a concrete agreement. He warned that hostilities could quickly resume if diplomatic efforts fail. “If there’s no deal, I would certainly expect,” Trump said, referring to the possibility of renewed military action. In another interview, he added starkly that if the truce expires without progress, “then lots of bombs start going off.”

A key point of contention remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. Trump stated that the waterway would remain blocked until a peace agreement is finalized, despite pressure from Iran to reopen it. “They want me to open it. The Iranians desperately want it opened. I’m not opening it until a deal is signed,” he asserted. The continued blockade, along with the recent seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel by the US Navy, has already led to a spike in global oil prices.

Trump also emphasised that he would not rush into an agreement under pressure. “I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We’ve got all the time in the world,” he said, underscoring his administration’s cautious approach to negotiations.

Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds Iran’s participation in the next round of talks, reportedly scheduled to take place in Islamabad. When asked whether Iranian representatives would attend, Trump said he was unsure, noting conflicting claims about whether the meeting had been formally agreed upon. “We’ll see whether or not it happens. If they’re not there, that’s fine too,” he remarked.

The US delegation is expected to be led by Vice President JD Vance, who is reportedly set to travel to Pakistan for the discussions. While Trump expressed willingness to meet senior Iranian leaders if a breakthrough is achieved, he indicated that his personal presence at the talks may not be necessary at this stage.

According to US Central Command, American forces have already intercepted and turned back 27 ships heading to or from Iranian ports, highlighting the seriousness of the ongoing standoff.

With the ceasefire deadline fast approaching and key issues unresolved, the situation remains tense, with the risk of escalation looming if negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)