Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire, Maintains Blockade Amid Stalled Talks

Washington, April 2026 : Donald Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran while ordering the continuation of a naval blockade, saying Tehran must first present a “unified proposal” before negotiations can proceed.

In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump said the decision came after a request from Pakistan and due to what he described as internal divisions within Iran’s leadership. He indicated that Washington would hold off on further military action until Iran’s representatives put forward a clear and consolidated position.

“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured… we have been asked to hold our attack,” Trump said, adding that the US military would continue enforcing the blockade while extending the ceasefire until a proposal is submitted and talks are concluded.

The move came just hours before the original two-week ceasefire was set to expire, injecting fresh uncertainty into the already fragile diplomatic process. Soon after the announcement, JD Vance cancelled his planned visit to Islamabad, where a second round of negotiations was expected to take place. A White House official confirmed that the trip was put on hold as Washington awaits clarity from Tehran.

Iran, however, has not confirmed its participation in the talks and has insisted that the United States lift the naval blockade as a precondition for returning to negotiations. Abbas Araghchi strongly criticised Washington’s actions, accusing it of violating the ceasefire.

“Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war,” Araghchi said, adding that targeting commercial vessels and detaining crews constituted an even more serious breach of the truce.

Despite the tensions, Pakistan has welcomed the extension of the ceasefire. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for accepting Islamabad’s request, saying the move would allow diplomatic efforts to continue.

However, the situation remains volatile. Trump reiterated that military action remains an option if talks fail, stating that the US armed forces are prepared for escalation if required. Meanwhile, the blockade continues to exert pressure on Iran’s economy, particularly its oil exports. Reports suggest that dozens of vessels have already been forced to turn back or return to port since the restrictions were imposed earlier this month.

Tehran, on its part, has warned of potential countermeasures. Iranian officials have hinted that the country could respond forcefully if the blockade persists, including possible action in the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which carries a significant portion of the world’s crude oil, has become a focal point of the crisis.

The ongoing conflict, which began in late February, has already disrupted global energy markets and heightened geopolitical tensions. While the ceasefire extension offers temporary relief, the absence of a clear roadmap for negotiations has left both sides in a precarious stalemate.

As diplomatic channels remain open but uncertain, the coming days are likely to be critical in determining whether dialogue resumes or tensions escalate further.

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