Trump Hints at New Peace Talks with Iran Following Ceasefire Extension

Just hours after extending the ceasefire with Iran, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that there is promising news regarding a second round of negotiations, which could emerge by Friday. He indicated that new opportunities for peace talks are developing within the next 36 to 72 hours, as reported by a news outlet.

Earlier in the day, Trump confirmed the indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran at the request of mediator Pakistan. He explained that this decision aims to provide Tehran's fragmented leadership with time to formulate a unified proposal to end the ongoing conflict that has persisted for seven weeks. This significant announcement was welcomed by Pakistan's top leadership. The extension came just hours before the expiration of a two-week ceasefire that was declared on April 8. Consequently, the planned visit of Vice President JD Vance and the U.S. delegation to Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian negotiators has effectively been postponed.

Vance, along with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, was scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday. However, the White House announced that the delegation's visit would not take place as planned. Trump stated on Tuesday that given the significant divisions within the Iranian government, which is not surprising, and at the request of Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was advised that the U.S. hold off on any military action against Iran until their leaders present a unified proposal. Nevertheless, Trump clarified that the U.S. would refrain from attacking Iran only until its leadership offers a consensus proposal. He emphasized that the economic blockade of Iranian ports would continue, stating that he has instructed the military to maintain the blockade.