Earlier, President Trump on Friday, April 17, had said that the naval blockade targeting Iran will remain in place until an agreement with Tehran is completely finalised.
The extension of ceasefire comes as the US and Iran are exploring a second round of peace talks, following the failure to reach an agreement during the first round of negotiations held in Islamabad.
Also Read: US-Iran fail to reach agreement in Islamabad peace talks, says JD Vance
In a Truth social post on Monday, April 20, Donald Trump had said that the nuclear agreement currently being negotiated with Iran would be “far better” than the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme.
April 8 ceasefire announcement
Trump on Wednesday, April 8 Indian Time, had announced that he has agreed to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. He made the announcement on Truth Social, just minutes after the US market futures began trading on Wall Street.
He has repeatedly said since the ceasefire began on April 8 that his administration is engaging with Iranian officials open to a deal.
Iran slams ceasefire ploy
An advisor to Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator MB Ghalibaf has described Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire as a “ploy to buy time” for a potential surprise strike on Iran, reports Reuters.
In a post on X, the advisor said the continuation of the US blockade on Iranian ports was “no different from bombardment” and must be met with a military response, signalling a sharp escalation in rhetoric.
In a seperate development Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the US blockade of Iranian ports amounts to an “act of war” and a violation of the ceasefire, escalating tensions between the two sides.
In a post on X on Tuesday, he asserted that Iran is capable of neutralising restrictions, defending its national interests, and resisting what he described as coercive pressure.
Blockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire.
Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 21, 2026