Donald Trump has waivered on his threat to bomb Iran by extending the US ceasefire, claiming the regime’s leadership is ‘seriously fractured.’
The President previously threatened to resume the war if Iran failed to reach a deal by Wednesday’s deadline at 8pm ET.
Trump wrote that ‘based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured’, the US military would hold off striking ‘until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.’
‘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 added.
The decision is Trump’s fourth delay since the initial truce was announced on March 23. The President did not provide an exact deadline for the latest extension.
Prior to Trump’s announcement, JD Vance had cancelled his trip to Pakistan for a peace summit with Iran, according to Associated Press.
The Vice President was expected to lead US negotiations with Iran in Islamabad before the two-week ceasefire’s expiration.
Tehran said it has no plans to continue another round of talks with the US due to Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has waivered on his threat to bomb Iran by extending the US ceasefire, claiming the regime’s leadership was ‘seriously fractured’
The President previously threatened to resume the war if Iran failed to reach a deal by Wednesday’s deadline at 8pm ET
Tehran said it has no plans to continue another round of talks with the US due to Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
Trump said Vance was expected to depart Washington for Pakistan on Tuesday morning but those plans are completely scrapped, according to the Associated Press.
The President previously claimed he was poised to resume bombing if Tehran refuses to come to the table, he told CNBC Tuesday morning.
The latest ceasefire extension came at the request of Pakistani intermediaries, according to Trump.
Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a fifth of global oil trade.
The President imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program.
In recent days, US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports.
Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf said Monday the regime is ‘prepared’ to renew fighting against US-Israel forces in the Middle East.
‘We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,’ he wrote on X.
Should the US maintain pressure on Iran or risk empowering hardliners by continuing the ceasefire?
Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump’s naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a fifth of global oil trade
The President imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program
Trump reportedly aimed to use the Hormuz blockade to pressure Tehran back into talks after the initial Vance-led negotiations collapsed.
However, it appears the President’s move has empowered hardliners within Iranian leadership who are against further diplomatic talks with the US.
