Wasington, April 22: The United States said Tuesday that it has extended a ceasefire in its war with Iran.

In a statement put out after midnight India time, by White House, President Donald Trump said he had agreed to delay a planned military strike on Iran and extend a ceasefire, following an appeal from Pakistan’s leadership.

The American President said he was extending the ceasefire in the midst of what he described as a “seriously fractured” situation within Iran, raising concerns about the absence of a unified negotiating position from Tehran.

According to the statement, the pause was requested by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Washington has agreed to hold off on any offensive action until Iranian leaders and representatives present a “unified proposal for talks”.

“I have directed our military to continue the blockade and remain ready and able,” Trump said, indicating that while active hostilities are being deferred, pressure on Iran will persist.

The ceasefire will remain in place until Iran submits its proposal and negotiations reach a conclusion, “one way or the other,” the statement added, leaving open the possibility of renewed military action if diplomacy fails.

The move signals a temporary opening for diplomacy in a rapidly evolving regional crisis, with Pakistan emerging as a key intermediary. However, the continuation of a blockade suggests that tensions remain high and that the situation could escalate if talks falter.

Earlier Tehran had called on the United Nations to condemn the US for seizing yet another Iranian ship, Touska, terming it an act of “piracy”.

Till now nearly 4,000 people have died in the now paused US-Iran war with missile strikes and drone attacks accounting for most of the deaths.

UNI