Donald Trump issues major update on Iran ceasefire – ‘one way or the other’ | World | News
Donald Trump has issued a major update as the original deadline for the US ceasefire with Iran approaches. The US President said he had agreed to postpone any new military action following what he described as a request from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.
He wrote in Truth Social: “Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is not unexpectedly but seriously disintegrated, and at the request of Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, we have been directed to continue our Attack on the Land of Iran until its leaders and representatives can put forward a common proposal. I have therefore directed our Army to maintain the Blockade and remain ready and capable in all other respects, and I will therefore extend the Ceasefire until: When proposals one way or another have been submitted and discussions have been completed.”
The two-week ceasefire was due to end early Wednesday morning.
US President JD Vance was expected to go to Islamabad to lead the US side in the second round of peace talks with Iranian officials.
However, news on Tuesday evening claimed that the Vice President remained in Washington due to uncertainty about whether Tehran would send a delegation.
According to The Times of Israel, a White House official said: “Additional policy meetings are being held at the White House in which the vice president will attend.”
The apparent delay comes as tensions continue to rise after the US seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman, a move Tehran branded an “act of war”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told X on Tuesday evening that the blockade of Iranian ports was an “act of war and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.”
“Attacking a commercial ship and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.”
The Pentagon had previously confirmed that American forces boarded another sanctioned tanker overnight.
On Tuesday morning, the US president was optimistic about the possibility of a deal.
“We will eventually make a big deal,” he said, but also claimed Iran had “no choice” but to send a delegation to Pakistan.
Trump also warned that he was prepared to continue bombing if the talks failed.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, an Iranian commander threatened to destroy the oil industry in the region if the war with the United States continues.
General Majid Mousavi told an Iranian news site: “If the southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region.”
Before making the announcement on Truth Social, Trump reportedly held meetings at the White House with Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
The meeting took place at a time when uncertainty was increasing about whether new negotiations with Iran would continue.
