Tensions between Washington and Tehran reached a critical point today. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States agreed to delay a planned military strike. The request came from Pakistan’s top leadership, meaning Pakistan stops US Iran attack for now. Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both intervened directly. Trump described the Iranian government as seriously fractured. He said Tehran needs time to present a unified proposal. The US military will maintain an ongoing blockade while remaining fully prepared for possible action.
The ceasefire was expected to end at 4:50 PM Pakistani Standard Time. Trump confirmed that the Hormuz blockade will not be lifted in the meantime. The truce will remain in place until Iranian representatives submit their proposal. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump on X for agreeing to extend the ceasefire. He said the move allows diplomatic efforts to continue. With this intervention, Pakistan stops US Iran attack and keeps negotiations alive.
On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026
With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…
Iran initially refused to attend talks in Pakistan. Tehran argued the ceasefire framework lacked effective enforcement. Continued maritime pressure from the US blockade undermined the truce. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted that blockading Iranian ports amounts to an act of war. He warned that targeting commercial shipping constitutes a serious breach of the ceasefire. Trump announced the extended ceasefire around 1:10 AM PKT. The next round of talks is scheduled in Islamabad.
