Hours after US President Donald Trump said in an interview that he did not want to extend the ceasefire with Iran, he announced the extension, citing Pakistan’s request while awaiting a “unified proposal” from Tehran.
In an interview on Tuesday with CNBC, Trump denied plans to extend the ceasefire and said that the US was in a strong negotiating position and would end up with what he called “a great deal.”
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” Trump said when asked about the possibility of extending the ceasefire.
But later on Tuesday, Trump announced the ceasefire with Iran, at the request of Pakistan, but added that the US’ blockade of Iranian ports will continue. He said that the ceasefire will continue till Iran comes up with a unified proposal’.
The extension of the ceasefire comes at a time when uncertainties have surrounded the second round of peace talks in Pakistan as White House confirmed that JD Vance won’t be visiting Islamabad.
Meanwhile, there was no response early on Wednesday to Trump’s announcement from senior Iranian officials, although some initial reactions from Tehran suggested Trump’s comments were being treated sceptically, Reuters reported.
What Trump said earlier
In an interview, Trump earlier said that the US was in a strong position to negotiate and denied having plans to extend the ceasefire. “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” Trump said
Further, Trump also issued fresh threats to Iran, saying he expected to be “bombing” if a deal with Iran is not reached and the ceasefire ends without any resolution.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” Trump said in an interview with CNBC.
What Trump said announcing ceasefire
Trump later announced the extension of the ceasefire, citing a request from Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif. He also cited “facts that the government of Iran is seriously fractured.”
US President said that he has been asked to hold their attacks on Iran, “until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”
However, along with the extension of the ceasefire, Trump also said that the US will continue its naval blockade and, “in all other respects, remain ready and able.”
How Iran reacted
While Iranian officials have not reacted to Trump’s announcement, some reactions from Tehran suggested Trump’s comments were being treated sceptically.
Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said Iran had not asked for a ceasefire extension.
Further, they also repeated threats to break the US blockade by force. An adviser to Iran’s lead negotiator, the speaker of parliament, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said Trump’s announcement carried little weight and may be a ploy.