Trump Announces Extension of Ceasefire with Iran

On April 21, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington (reporters Huang Qiang and Xu Jianmei) that U.S. President Trump stated on social media that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran until Iran submits its proposal and completes relevant consultations.

In the statement, Trump said that the Iranian government is "seriously divided internally," and mentioned that at the request of Pakistani leaders, "we have been asked to postpone launching an attack on Iran until its leaders and representatives can come up with a consensus proposal."

Trump stated that he has instructed the U.S. military to continue maintaining a maritime blockade of Iranian ports and to remain in a state of readiness; at the same time, he will extend the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and completes relevant consultations.

Earlier that day, Trump also mentioned in an interview with U.S. media that he does not wish to extend the ceasefire agreement with Iran, and that the U.S. military is prepared for combat, ready to resume bombing Iran after the ceasefire expires.

On the 20th, Trump stated that the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran would expire "on the evening of the 22nd Washington time," and that Vice President Pence would travel to Pakistan, with a new round of negotiations scheduled to begin on the 21st. According to a report from the Iranian Tasnim News Agency on the evening of the 21st, Iran officially refused to attend the second round of talks between the U.S. and Iran scheduled for the 22nd in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.