In a Truth Social post Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump announced he would extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire indefinitely until Iran’s leadership submits what he called a “unified proposal” to end the conflict. The decision came hours after Trump had told CNBC that he did not plan 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 wrote. “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.”
The extension removes the immediate deadline pressure but also removes Iran’s incentive to submit a proposal quickly. The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place, and has forced 28 ships to turn back since it began. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has called the blockade “an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire.”
Vice President JD Vance, who had been expected to travel to Islamabad for the next round of talks, remained at the White House Tuesday after Iran failed to confirm it would send a delegation. Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar said a “formal response from Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited.”
Reports from regional sources suggest an internal split in Tehran. Civilian leadership, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and FM Araghchi, favor continued negotiations. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders oppose concessions as long as the U.S. naval blockade continues. This divide is reportedly behind Trump’s reference to the “seriously fractured” Iranian government.
Oil markets reacted sharply to the day’s whipsaw. Brent crude futures briefly touched $101.15 intraday on reports that Vance had cancelled his Islamabad trip, then retreated after Trump’s extension post. Brent settled +3% at $98.48; WTI settled +3% at $92.13. Monday closes had been +7% and +5%. The Strait of Hormuz remains functionally closed.