From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Trump announces he is extending Iran ceasefire until Tehran offers clear position
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Hours before a two-week ceasefire with Iran was set to expire, US President Donald Trump announces that he is extending the truce for the time being and that the US will hold off on attacking the Islamic Republic.
Trump says his decision was made at the request of Pakistani mediators who said more time was needed for a fractured Iranian leadership to submit a proposal on a deal to permanently end the war.
“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,” Trump writes on Truth Social.
“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 adds.
Pakistan was aiming to hold a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran, and while Washington expressed interest in participating, Tehran held off on following suit, taking issue with a continued US blockade of the Islamic Republic’s ports.
The Times of Israel Community.