President Trump announced on Tuesday that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran and continue the military blockade.

“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 on Truth Social.

“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,” he continued.

CNBC shared further:

Trump’s announcement came after reports that an expected trip by Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks with Iranian officials had been put on hold, and after the Iranian state news outlet Tasnim reported that negotiators from Tehran had informed their U.S. counterparts through an intermediary in Pakistan that they would not appear for further talks.

“Iran ultimately announced today that under these circumstances, attending the negotiations is a waste of time because the US prevents reaching any suitable agreement,” Tasnim reported.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Trump, during an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” said, “I don’t want to do that,” after being asked if he would extend the ceasefire to allow for peace talks to reach a deal.

Iran has yet to issue a public statement on Trump’s extension of the ceasefire.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that blockading Iran’s ports is a “violation of the ceasefire.”

“Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation. Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying,” Araghchi said.

CBS News has more:

Iran’s mission to the U.N. said Tuesday it had sent a letter to the U.N. Security Council and the U.N. secretary-general demanding “a firm and unequivocal condemnation” of the U.S.’ seizure of an Iranian-flagged ship, “full accountability for those responsible, and the immediate and unconditional release of the vessel, its crew, and all those affected.”

President Trump announced Sunday that U.S. forces fired on and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo vessel Touska because it tried to bypass the U.S.’ blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran’s mission to the U.N. said the seizure “constitutes a grave breach of international law, a clear violation of the ceasefire, and an act of aggression marked by the hallmarks of piracy. Such reckless conduct directly endangers international navigation and undermines maritime safety and security.”

 

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