Agencies | Washington:
US President Donald Trump has indicated that the ongoing ceasefire with Iran is unlikely to be extended if a comprehensive agreement is not reached before its expiry later this week, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Speaking in a phone interview, Trump said the truce—announced on April 7—is set to expire on Wednesday evening (Washington time) and made it clear that an extension remains improbable. “It’s highly unlikely that I’d extend it,” he stated.
The US President also reaffirmed that the strategic Strait of Hormuz will remain blocked until a formal deal with Tehran is finalised, despite mounting global pressure to reopen the vital maritime corridor. “They want me to open it… I’m not opening it until a deal is signed,” Trump said.
The continued blockade has already impacted global markets, with oil prices rising amid disruptions and reports of a US naval seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are set to resume, with US Vice President JD Vance scheduled to travel to Pakistan to lead a fresh round of negotiations expected to begin shortly. Trump emphasised that the United States would not rush into an agreement, stating, “I’m not going to be rushed into making a bad deal.”
He added that while he remains open to personally attending the talks if necessary, he does not consider it essential at this stage. However, he also warned that hostilities could resume if negotiations fail, underscoring the fragile nature of the ceasefire.
On the Iranian side, authorities are reportedly reviewing a US proposal conveyed through diplomatic channels, including recent engagements involving Pakistan’s military leadership.
