U.S. President Donald Trump has announced an extension of Washington’s ceasefire with Iran, saying the move comes at the request of Pakistan while the United States awaits a unified proposal from Tehran. The decision came just hours before a two-week truce was due to expire, easing fears of an immediate return to conflict.
The announcement followed mounting uncertainty over planned negotiations in Islamabad, where a second round of high-level talks had been expected. Earlier in the day, the White House reportedly paused Vice President JD Vance’s anticipated visit after Iranian officials signalled hesitation about rejoining negotiations.
In a social media statement, Trump said the U.S. military would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports despite extending the ceasefire. The blockade remains one of the key sticking points between the two countries and has become central to the wider diplomatic standoff.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials were said to be working intensively behind the scenes to keep diplomacy alive and persuade both sides to return to the table. Pakistan has emerged as an important mediator in the crisis, hosting the first direct talks between the U.S. and Iran earlier this month.
Iranian officials, however, indicated no final decision had been made about attending further talks. Tehran has repeatedly described the U.S. blockade as unacceptable and insists its removal is essential before any progress can be made.
At the heart of the dispute is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital energy corridors through which a significant share of global oil and natural gas flows. Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the waterway since the outbreak of war have sent global oil prices sharply higher and raised fears of a prolonged energy crisis.
Brent crude was trading near $95 a barrel Tuesday, reflecting ongoing market anxiety. Analysts warn that any collapse in negotiations could trigger fresh instability across global energy markets and further strain economies already facing inflationary pressure.
Meanwhile, the conflict’s regional fallout continued. Israel announced disciplinary action against two soldiers accused of vandalizing a statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon, while separate diplomatic discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials are expected to resume in Washington later this week.
Since the war began, thousands have been killed across Iran, Lebanon, Israel and neighbouring Gulf states. With the ceasefire temporarily extended, the focus now shifts to whether diplomacy can succeed before another dangerous escalation begins.