Trump Extends Ceasefire with Iran While Threatening Bombs and Blockade
US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire with Iran via a post on the Truth Social platform on Wednesday (22/4). Trump expressed willingness to further postpone hostilities until Iranian leaders can produce a unified proposal in peace negotiations.
Although allowing room for diplomacy, Trump emphasised that military pressure would not diminish. The naval blockade of Iran’s major ports is confirmed to continue. “We will get a great deal,” Trump stated optimistically. He added that Iran has no choice but to send a delegation to Pakistan.
Trump’s optimism clashes sharply with warnings from Tehran. Iran’s chief negotiator asserted that they will not engage in talks under the shadow of threats. The Iranian side claims to have prepared new cards on the battlefield if discussions fail and war resumes.
Trump himself did not conceal his readiness to resume military force. He stated preparedness to continue bombing if negotiations in Pakistan do not proceed as hoped, given the very tight initial ceasefire deadline.
Meanwhile, a White House official clarified that Vice President JD Vance will not travel to Pakistan today, refuting earlier conflicting reports regarding the presence of a high-ranking US official at the negotiation site.
The situation on the ground is heating up due to ship seizure actions. Iran demands the immediate release of a cargo ship seized by US forces and vows retaliatory actions. Tensions around the vital Strait of Hormuz are intensifying after the Pentagon confirmed that US forces boarded another sanctioned tanker last night.
This step is described as part of Washington’s efforts to disrupt logistical and economic support lines to the Tehran regime during the ceasefire period.
The conflict, which originated from US-Israel attacks on 28 February, has claimed a very high number of lives. According to data from Iran’s chief forensic officer, nearly 3,400 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the attacks. The impact of the conflict has also spread to other regional areas.
The world now awaits whether the Iranian delegation will truly submit a proposal in Pakistan or instead opt to play their battlefield cards when this extension period ends.
Pope Leo has warned the Trump administration against using God’s name to justify violence in the ongoing Iran conflict.