News Summary
- U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire period with Iran, though no new deadline has been announced.
- The Trump administration remains uncertain amid a lack of response from Iran, with indications of divisions within Iranian leadership.
- Iran has demanded the lifting of the blockade, but Trump stated the Strait of Hormuz won’t reopen until a final agreement is reached.
April 21, Kathmandu – On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump held a key meeting with his national security advisors at the White House to decide the next course of action regarding Iran.
The ceasefire period declared by Trump was about to expire, and Vice President JD Vance was on Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews preparing to depart for Pakistan for the next round of talks. However, there was significant uncertainty within the Trump administration as no response had been received from the Iranian side.
Earlier, the U.S. had sent key points to Iran ahead of the next phase of negotiations. According to three officials, after several days without any reply, doubts grew about what progress could be achieved when Vice President Vance’s delegation departed for Pakistan.
During Tuesday’s White House meeting, Trump met with Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Keen, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, but no communication was received from Iran. Officials had asked Pakistan’s chief mediator, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to deliver a response before Vance boarded the plane.
However, hours passed without any reply from Iran.
According to the three officials, Trump’s White House advisors believe the primary reason for the lack of response is internal disagreement within the Iranian leadership. This assessment is partially based on reports from the Pakistani mediators. The Trump administration suspects that there is no consensus among Iranian officials on complicated issues like uranium enrichment and stockpiles.
U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not provided clear directives to his officials, who are left guessing. Mojtaba’s attempts to remain behind the scenes have complicated internal discussions.
Despite these challenges, one official indicated that a meeting between U.S. and Iranian negotiators could happen soon, though the timing and manner remain uncertain.
Without resuming military strikes, Trump decided to extend the ceasefire but did not set a new precise deadline. He noted on “Truth Social” that Iranian officials are “deeply divided.” He appears willing to continue seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.
The failure of talks so far makes clear that Trump faces significant challenges in the negotiation process.
Iran has demanded the blockade be lifted before negotiations proceed, particularly the sanctions imposed on Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz by Trump. However, Trump has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until a final agreement is reached.
During Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, Trump and his team decided to extend the ceasefire, which Pakistani mediators say was about to expire within hours. Trump expressed confidence that it would last until Wednesday evening. This extension provides Iran additional time, though guarantees of progress remain slim.
Officials say arrangements for immediate visits could be made if Iran reengages at the negotiating table. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz causes economic damage for both sides, which is expected to motivate a quicker resolution.
Pakistani mediators encouraged Trump to prolong the ceasefire. Trump extended it until a renewed negotiation proposal is received and a conclusion reached to the talks.
However, Iranian officials do not seem significantly influenced by this move.
Mehdi Mohammadi, a member of the Iranian negotiation team, said, “There is no point in Trump’s extension of the ceasefire. The losing side cannot impose conditions. Maintaining the blockade is like bombing, and resistance must be through military means.”
Trump’s announcement to maintain the ceasefire brought an end to an uncertain day, during which he had initially expressed hopes to bomb Iran again in the near future.
By not setting a new ceasefire deadline, pressures are reduced and Iran is given more time, though Trump’s advisors have privately warned this risks prolonging negotiations. Negotiators had anticipated a preliminary understanding to be reached this week, followed by discussions on finer points.
Critics warn that prolonging the talks could be a strategic maneuver allowing Iran more time to develop missile systems that would otherwise need to be disclosed.
Key issues such as uranium enrichment, stockpiling of highly enriched uranium, and the lifting of sanctions remain unresolved with Iran.
The feasibility of an agreement ultimately depends on the flexibility of conditions by both parties. Trump insists on no agreement comparable to the old ‘Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’ (JCPOA), from which he withdrew in 2018, labeling it as a weak deal.
Trump has expressed great confidence in his negotiation skills and on Tuesday even claimed that if he were still president at that time, he could have won the war.
“I believe we will ultimately reach the best deal,” he said. “Fundamentally, they have no option. We have destroyed their navy and air force and targeted their leaders, which has made the situation complex.”
A few hours later, while honoring players in the ‘State Dining Room’, Trump maintained unusual silence regarding the war topic and avoided questions from reporters.
