After saying he would not extend a truce with Iran, Trump decides to extend it

Among new comings and goings, the President of the United States, Donald Trump announced, this Tuesday (21), that he will maintain the maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire “until Iranian representatives reach a unified proposal to negotiate peace”. Hours earlier, he had told a press vehicle that he would not extend the truce.

Trump’s decision would be a response to a request from Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, who is participating in negotiations between the countries. A new round was scheduled for this Tuesday (21).

In the message dealing with the matter, published on his social network, Trump tries to convey that there would be an internal division in the Iranian government, as a way of weakening the opponent’s position.

Find out more: US attacks Iranian ship in Hormuz; Iran says it has no plan for new deal

“Based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fragmented — which is not unexpected — and at the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, we have been asked to suspend our attack on the country until its leaders and representatives are able to present a unified proposal,” Trump said.

The US president said he would have ordered the Armed Forces to “continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready” and would extend the ceasefire “until such a proposal is presented and negotiations are concluded, one way or another”.

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This same Tuesday (21), when asked during an interview with CNBC about the possibility of extending the ceasefire — which ends this Wednesday (22) —, Trump said: “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have a lot of time.”

According to the Iranian agency IRNA, in response to speculation about possible negotiations in Pakistan, a diplomatic source reported, this Tuesday (21), that “no delegation from Iran arrived in the Pakistani capital”. Also according to the agency, “Iranian authorities said that Tehran will not negotiate under threats”.

With agencies