Donald Trump announced an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday after Pakistan’s request.
“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,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
He further added, “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.”
However, the Iranian regime discarded the attempt as a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike on Iran.
Trump’s recent social media posts have angered the top brass of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps which led to a re-closure of the strait of Hormuz after being opened a day before.
However, Sharif who has acted as the principal mediator – thanked Trump. “Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for [a] negotiated settlement of [the] conflict,” he posted.
A first round of talks in Islamabad 10 days ago ended with no sign of agreement on the future of the strait of Hormuz, the key waterway which was closed to shipping by Iran in the early days of the conflict, cutting the supply of around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas.
The US last week imposed a blockade on Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into reopening the strait, and on Sunday it seized an Iranian cargo vessel.
Iran warns US
Ahead of US-Iran peace talks scheduled to take place in Pakistan on Tuesday, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament has signalled a potential shift in Tehran’s strategy, stating that the country is “prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield. ” The talks are taking place days before the ceasefire deadline expires on April 22.
“Trump, by imposing a siege and violating the ceasefire, seeks to turn this negotiating table in his own imagination into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats,” Ghalibaf said, adding that Iran has spent the past two weeks preparing undisclosed measures.
