President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on April 18, 2026. JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP
President Donald Trump on Tuesday, April 21, said he was extending a ceasefire with Iran to give more time for negotiations, but would maintain a US naval blockade of the country's ports. Trump posted on social media that he would "extend the Ceasefire" until Iran came up with a proposal to end the conflict. However, he "directed our Military to continue the Blockade."
Trump's ceasefire extension came hours before it was expected to expire. It also came as the White House said Vice President JD Vance would not be going to Pakistan for what had been expected to be a second round of peace talks. The US president cast the breakdown in more talks as resulting from Iranian infighting, adding that Pakistan's leaders had asked him to extend the truce.
"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 posted on his Truth Social site.
