WASHINGTON D.C April 22, 2026 — The White House has extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, just hours before the truce was set to expire today. President Donald Trump cited Iran’s “seriously fractured” government and a request from Pakistani mediators as the reason for granting additional time without setting a new deadline.
In comments shared by the official White House Rapid Response account (@RapidResponse47), Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated:
“The President chose to extend the ceasefire because it’s Iran who needs to get their act together. The United States and @POTUS have been very clear in our demands, and our red lines, and what we need to see… from the very beginning.”
The ceasefire, originally brokered through Pakistani mediation following recent U.S.-Iran military clashes—including American strikes and a naval blockade of Iranian ports—had been scheduled to end on April 22. Despite the extension, the U.S. is maintaining its naval blockade of Iranian ports, which is reportedly costing Tehran hundreds of millions of dollars daily, and keeping American forces on high alert.
President Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, noting that the pause would allow Iranian leadership to present a “unified proposal” for ongoing peace talks. The administration has stressed that the blockade and military readiness remain in place to enforce U.S. conditions on Iran’s nuclear program, regional proxies, and other security red lines.
The development comes amid continued tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has been accused of seizing vessels even during the truce period. No immediate comments from Iranian officials were available at the time of publication, but the move is seen by analysts as a strategic blend of diplomatic flexibility and sustained economic pressure on Tehran.
Life News Agency will continue to monitor developments in the U.S.-Iran negotiations and provide updates as more details emerge from the White House or Pakistani mediators.
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