U.S. President Donald Trump declared an extension of the ceasefire on the 21st (local time), a day before the expiration of the "two-week ceasefire" with Iran.
It did not specifically set the deadline for the extension of the ceasefire.
Iran appears to have extended the ceasefire without setting a deadline, expressing it only until 'when the discussion is concluded with a unified negotiation proposal'.
In a statement posted on social media Truth Social, Trump said, "We have been asked to stop attacking Iran until the Iranian leadership and negotiators come up with a unified proposal at the request of Pakistan's military commander Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif."
"We will extend the ceasefire until their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded either way," Trump continued.
However, President Trump said the maritime blockade against Iran will continue and other preparedness will continue.
President Trump's declaration of a cease-fire came the day before the expiration of the "two-week cease-fire."
President Trump said the previous day that the two-week ceasefire with Iran is due on the evening of the 22nd, Eastern time.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to extend the two-week cease-fire if it expires and will resume attacks if Iran does not comply with the agreement, but he ultimately chose to extend it as it approached its expiration date.
I cited Pakistan's request for arbitration as the reason for the extension of the ceasefire and the division within Iran.
Without Iran's acceptance and large variables, a ceasefire of more than a few months could be possible.
However, Iran said it could not immediately recognize President Trump's announcement of extending the ceasefire.
Iran's state broadcaster reported on the 22nd (local time), shortly after President Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire, that Iran would not recognize the extension of the U.S. ceasefire and would act in Iran's national interest.
It seems that we cannot accept a unilateral ceasefire declaration in which the maritime blockade is maintained at a time when we have not given a definite answer to holding a second round of negotiations until the last minute in opposition to the maritime blockade against Iran.
In this case, it is not easy to secure the momentum for negotiations, making it difficult to make a breakthrough.
The U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance was originally scheduled to leave for Pakistan earlier in the day, but will reportedly stay at the White House until later in the day.
Skeptic observations are being made about whether negotiations can resume before the two-week ceasefire expires.
#Trump #ExtendedPause #Until Negotiation Ends
Kang Dong-il (kangdi@ikbc.co.kr )
In the end, it seems only the hardliners in Iran have grown stronger.
Even the talks that were officially conducted by the government—
perhaps even approved by Khamenei—
were ultimately blocked by the Revolutionary Guard.
The whole world is bearing the consequences of Trump’s legacy.