Trump announces extending Iran ceasefire but says blockade remains

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US president says attacks will be held off until Iranian leaders ‘come up with a unified proposal’ to end war.

United States President Donald Trump has announced an extension to the ceasefire with Iran, saying that the US military will hold off its planned attack to allow more time for Tehran to put forward a proposal to end the war.

Trump said the move on Tuesday comes at the request of Pakistani mediators. The truce was set to expire on Wednesday.

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“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,” the US president said in a social media post.

Iran did not issue an immediate response to Trump’s statement. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said Tehran’s position “officially announced later”.

Hours before his social media post, Trump had said that he opposes extending the truce, warning Iran that time is running out.

The about-face came as Iranian officials condemned the US naval blockade on the country’s ports, putting their participation in the talks scheduled for Wednesday in Pakistan in doubt.

More to come…