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US President Donald Trump said that he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request while awaiting a “unified proposal” from Tehran, even as the US 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 US military will continue its blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump made the announcement as ceasefire talks looked increasingly uncertain with a two-week truce set to expire on Wednesday. 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.” 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.
State TV quoted the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency denying Trump's claims that the women are facing execution. It said some have already been released, while others face charges that — if upheld by the courts — would ultimately result in prison sentences rather than execution.
It didn't name which women were allegedly released. Human rights centers have reported that at least two of the women were facing charges that carry a death sentence.
Donald Trump urged Tehran to release eight women reportedly facing execution, calling it a key goodwill gesture. The accused are as follows:
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 US to carry out attacks.
Oil prices held on to recent gains after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran, even as the continuation of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz kept supply concerns front and centre. Brent crude for June settlement slipped 0.2% to $98.32 a barrel, while WTI for June delivery eased 0.3% to $89.36, after both benchmarks surged nearly 9% over the previous two sessions.
Israel and the Lebanon-based, Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah traded some fire with the latter saying it had fired rockets and drones at Israeli forces maintaining a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah also accused Israel of breaching the truce with “attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages.”
In response, Israel said it had struck the launcher, calling Hezbollah's strikes a blatant violation of the ceasefire.
The Iranian mission to the U.N. sent a letter asking for the world body and the Security Council to issue a "firm and unequivocal" condemnation of the US decision 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 US naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters that the effort to end the war between Tehran and Washington is a “complex process” and that it's important to allow “continuity” for that process to play out. "I think it's very important that an opportunity for peace is given," he said.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on X
As US President Trump has made clear, the United States Navy will continue the blockade of Iranian ports. In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in. Constraining Iran’s maritime trade directly targets the regime’s primary revenue lifelines.
The US Treasury will continue to apply maximum pressure through Economic Fury to systematically degrade Tehran’s ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds.
As @POTUS has made clear, the United States Navy will continue the blockade of Iranian ports. In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in. Constraining Iran’s maritime trade directly targets the regime’s primary…
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) April 21, 2026
In light of US President Trump’s Truth Social post confirming the United States is awaiting a unified proposal from the Iranians, the trip to Pakistan will not be happening today. Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House.
The statement by US President Donald Trump read:
"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."
"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."
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP: pic.twitter.com/ATdRyY1qqK
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 21, 2026
US President Donald Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, as Tehran's deadline to end the pause came and went without incident.
Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal. But he said the US blockade of Iran's ports -- a sticking point for Tehran -- would continue.
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