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Trump Warns "Highly Unlikely" to Extend Iran Ceasefire as Deadline Looms

US President Donald Trump has stated it is highly unlikely he will extend a two-week ceasefire with Iran if no deal is reached before its expiration. He insists the Strait of Hormuz will remain blockaded until a final peace agreement is signed, a stance that has contributed to rising oil prices. US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to travel to Pakistan for a second round of negotiations with Iranian officials. Trump expressed openness to meeting senior Iranian leaders personally but downplayed the necessity of his attendance at the upcoming talks.

Key Points: Trump: Unlikely to Extend Iran Ceasefire, Strait Blockade Continues

  • Ceasefire expires this week
  • Strait of Hormuz remains blocked
  • Oil prices jump after US actions
  • JD Vance to lead Pakistan talks
  • Trump open to meeting Iranian leaders
2 min read

Trump says it is 'highly unlikely' to extend ceasefire with Iran

President Trump says a deal with Iran is unlikely before the ceasefire expires, vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz blocked until an agreement is signed.

"I'm not opening it until a deal is signed. - Donald Trump"

Washington, April 21

US President Donald Trump said it is "highly unlikely" he would extend a two-week ceasefire with Iran if a deal is not reached before it ends this week, according to a Bloomberg report.

The Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a peace agreement is finalized, Trump said in a phone interview.

"They want me to open it. The Iranians desperately want it opened. I'm not opening it until a deal is signed," he said. Oil prices jumped as Washington maintained its blockade and the US Navy seized an Iranian-flagged ship over the weekend, Xinhua news agency reported.

"I'm not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We've got all the time in the world," Trump said.

He said the truce, which he announced on April 7, will expire on Wednesday evening US Eastern Time.

Asked if he expects strikes to resume immediately afterward if no deal is reached, Trump said: "If there's no deal, I would certainly expect."

In a phone call with PBS News on Monday morning, Trump said that if the ceasefire with Iran expires, "then lots of bombs start going off."

Asked if Iranian negotiators will participate in fresh talks in Islamabad, Trump said: "I don't know. I mean, they're supposed to be there. We agreed to be there, although they say we didn't. But no, it was set up. And we'll see whether or not it's there. If they're not there, that's fine too."

He told the New York Post on Monday morning that US Vice President JD Vance is set to head to Pakistan for the second round of negotiations with Iranian officials. According to The New York Times, which cited two US officials, Vance is expected to leave Washington for Pakistan on Tuesday.

Trump also told the Post that he is willing to meet with senior Iranian leaders if a breakthrough is reached. But he told Bloomberg, also on Monday morning, that he did not think it would be necessary for him to attend the talks in person.

As of Monday morning, US forces have turned back 27 ships to or from Iranian ports, the US Central Command said on X.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
"We've got all the time in the world" is easy to say when you're not the one facing shortages and inflation. This brinkmanship is dangerous for everyone. Hope cooler heads prevail in Islamabad.
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Arjun K
Pakistan as the negotiation venue is interesting. Hope India's strategic interests in the region are being communicated clearly behind the scenes. We cannot afford instability in our neighbourhood. 🇮🇳
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Priya S
The language is so aggressive. "Lots of bombs start going off" – is this how world leaders should talk? It creates panic. There must be a way to secure peace without such public threats.
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Karthik V
Focus should be on de-escalation. A conflict will spill over and affect the entire subcontinent. Our foreign ministry should be actively engaging with all parties to encourage dialogue. Jai Hind.
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Michael C
While the US stance seems tough, one has to understand the need for a solid, verifiable deal. A rushed agreement that falls apart later is worse. Hope both sides find a middle ground.
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Nisha Z
Already feeling the pinch at the petrol pump. This news will only make it worse. Ordinary people suffer the most in these geopolitical games. 🙏 for a peaceful resolution soon.

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