Iran cease-fire to be extended as military maintains blockade: Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters upon arrival at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona, April 17, 2026. (AFP Photo)


U.S. President Donald Trump said he has ordered the military to continue enforcing a blockade while remaining fully prepared, adding that the cease-fire will be extended until an Iranian proposal is submitted and talks are concluded.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he was acting at the request of Pakistan to hold off ⁠attacks until ⁠Iranian leaders and representatives could come up with what he called 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," ⁠Trump said.

Trump said the U.S. was asked by Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to delay renewed military action against Iran until their leaders could "come up with a unified proposal."

Trump also noted in the post that Iran's leadership had been "seriously fractured."

The announcement comes as a U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was expected Tuesday to travel to Islamabad for a second round of face-to-face talks with Iran, though the trip was delayed due to additional policy meetings at the White House, according to U.S. officials.

The negotiations would have followed an initial round of high-level engagement in Pakistan earlier this month, which ended without a breakthrough.

The cease-fire, initially announced earlier this month, had been set to expire Wednesday.