WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while awaiting a “unified proposal” from Tehran, even as the U.S. military maintains its blockade of Iranian ports. The move comes as the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to Pakistan for a second round of truce talks with Iran, which has balked at further discussions. But Trump warned that the U.S. military will continue its blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump made the announcement as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked increasingly uncertain Tuesday with a two-week truce set to expire. Both countries had said they were prepared to resume fighting if no deal is reached.
Trump said he would "extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.” The ceasefire had been set to expire Wednesday.
Iran has yet to decide whether to join the negotiations in Pakistan, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said earlier Tuesday, and will only take part if Tehran believes the discussions would yield results. Iran’s chief negotiator had said that Tehran has “new cards on the battlefield” that haven’t yet been revealed.
Since the war started, fighting has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran and more than 2,290 in Lebanon. Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members throughout the region have been killed.
Here is the latest:
Iran calls for the United Nations to condemn US seizures of its ships
The Iranian mission to the U.N. sent a letter Tuesday asking for the world body and the Security Council to issue a “firm and unequivocal” condemnation of the U.S. decision Sunday to attack and seize an Iranian-flagged cargo ship.
“This constitutes a grave breach of international law, a clear violation of the ceasefire, and an act of aggression marked by the hallmarks of piracy,” the mission posted on X. “Such reckless conduct directly endangers international navigation and undermines maritime safety and security.”
Washington had said the ship tried to evade the U.S. naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior Iranian commander threatens to destroy the region’s oil industry if war resumes with the US
Gen. Majid Mousavi, the aerospace chief for the Revolutionary Guard, said in comments on Iranian media that it would be a mistake to carry out “aggression” against Iran. He also said the region’s oil facilities would be harmed if neighboring countries allow the U.S. to carry out attacks.
“If southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region,” he said.
The U.S. has bases and troops in several countries across the region.
Iranian foreign minister says US blockade of its ports is violation of ceasefire as talks stall
As news came that the U.S. delegation was pausing its travel to Islamabad, Iran’s top diplomat posted on X saying that American forces boarding an Iranian oil tanker earlier Tuesday was an act of war.
“Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation,” Abbas Araghchi said in a post. “Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying.”