Trump announces the extension of the ceasefire with Iran

The Wall Street Journal said that US President Donald Trump is unannouncedly discussing canceling the visit of his Vice President, J.D. Vance, to Pakistan due to Tehran’s unwillingness to make concessions on uranium enrichment. Trump stated, “We will extend the ceasefire until Iran presents its proposal and the discussions end one way or another,” and added: “I directed our armed forces to continue the siege and to remain on alert and able to move.”

This comes at a time when the website “Axios” said that American officials and informed sources announced the postponement of Vance’s visit, which was scheduled to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, indefinitely, following Tehran’s refusal to participate in a new round of peace talks.

Tasnim Agency, affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, reported that the negotiating team informed the Pakistani mediators of the decision not to go to Islamabad, stressing the lack of prospects for participation under the current circumstances.

Reports indicate that there is an internal division in Tehran, as the Revolutionary Guard is pressing to adopt a hard-line position that refuses to sit at the negotiating table unless the United States lifts the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, the continuation of this blockade “questions the seriousness of any negotiations.”

President Trump confirmed in media statements that he does not want to extend the truce, saying: “My expectations are to start bombing, because I believe that this is the best position to enter in the event that an agreement is not reached… Our army is fully prepared to launch.”

While Trump indicated that the deadline expires on Wednesday evening, the Pakistani Information Minister confirmed that the deadline is Tuesday evening (around 8 p.m. EST).

Despite initial preparations for departure, Vice President Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner remain in Washington to participate in “additional policy meetings.” A change was observed in the course of the government plane that was designated to transport the delegation, as it headed to Washington instead of taking off for Pakistan.

For his part, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged all parties to extend the ceasefire and give “diplomacy a chance,” stressing that Pakistan has made unremitting efforts to persuade the Iranian leadership to participate, and is still waiting for an official response before it is too late.

Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey made intense efforts throughout Monday to persuade Tehran to return to negotiations. While positive signs appeared on Monday night to suggest imminent Iranian approval, the scene changed at dawn on Tuesday as Iranian procrastination continued, waiting for the “green light” from the Supreme Leader, which ultimately led to the suspension of the American trip and brought the region back to the brink of military escalation.