President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he is extending the U.S.-Iran ceasefire after Iran’s government failed to produce a response to American negotiating positions, citing a “seriously fractured” Iranian leadership structure that left no one capable of submitting a “unified proposal.”
Trump issued the announcement via Truth Social shortly after 4:00 p.m. ET:
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran 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.”
Vice President JD Vance had been scheduled to fly to Islamabad Tuesday morning for a second round of peace talks, with a Wednesday meeting set before the original ceasefire deadline. Those plans were put on hold after Tehran went silent.
“Without an Iranian response, the official said, the diplomatic process is in effect paused, though the trip has not been canceled,” the New York Times reported, citing a U.S. official with direct knowledge of the situation.
Vance remained at the White House Tuesday afternoon, where he attended meetings alongside Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to CNN. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had formally requested the extension to allow Iran’s fractured leadership more time to consolidate a position.
Trump had set firm expectations the day before. Speaking to Bloomberg on Monday, he said a ceasefire extension was “highly unlikely” absent a deal by Wednesday evening. On Tuesday morning, he told CNBC’s Squawk Box the military was ready to move.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with. But we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go. They are absolutely incredible,” Trump said.
The U.S. military blockade of Iran remains in effect under the terms of the extension. American officials are pressing for clear evidence that Iranian negotiators have been fully authorized to reach a binding agreement.
