Donald Trump’s diplomacy remains elusive on the war in the Middle East. The American president continues to alternate between heavy threats against Iran and signs of slight appeasement. While he started Tuesday by stating on CNBC that he would not extend the ceasefire announced on April 7, his position later changed.
Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump announced he had decided to “extend the ceasefire until Iran presents a proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or another.”
An extension at the request of Pakistan
The White House tenant emphasized that he made this decision in response to “serious divisions within the Iranian government” and at the request of Pakistan, the main mediator. However, he also indicated that he had “ordered our armed forces to maintain the naval blockade” in the Strait of Hormuz.
This announcement comes as Washington and Tehran have displayed their disagreement on the ceasefire’s expiration, with Americans mentioning Wednesday night, Washington time, while Iranians referred to this Tuesday at midnight.
Iran threatens neighbors’ oil
Furthermore, the White House confirmed late in the day that Vice President JD Vance, tasked with potential new discussions with Iran in Pakistan, would not leave Washington on Tuesday. Washington had never confirmed the vice president’s travel, but kept ambiguous whether or not he was leaving the capital on Tuesday.
Our coverage on the Middle East War
Almost two months after the start of hostilities initiated by Israel and the United States, Iran, just before Donald Trump’s ceasefire announcement, threatened to target its Gulf neighbors again, jeopardizing their oil production. The day before, the White House tenant warned that if American demands were not met, especially regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, before the ceasefire deadline, “many bombs will explode.” Even though weapons will not speak for the moment, de-escalation is far from guaranteed.
/2026/04/21/69e7efe412781990327043.jpg "War in the Middle East: extended ceasefire, French engagement in Lebanon… What to remember from the day.")
