As Pakistan prepares to host talks between Iran and the United States, conflicting statements from Donald Trump and Tehran regarding the ceasefire cast doubt on the smooth conduct of these negotiations. After Iran confirmed the end of the ceasefire for Tuesday evening, Donald Trump later announced on Truth Social that the truce was extended until further notice at the request of Pakistan.
The talks between Iran and the United States appear increasingly compromised. Iranians have not yet responded to Pakistan’s invitations to host these negotiations. In Islamabad, the situation remains unclear. Who are the Iranian interlocutors? Who will sit across from the American representatives? Will U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance be present? These uncertainties add to another: will the ceasefire come to an end?
Statements from Tehran on Tuesday, April 21st, suggested that the two-week truce between Iran and the United States was set to expire in the night at 2 am (Paris time) on Wednesday. Despite this, Donald Trump declared Tuesday evening on Truth Social that he had agreed to extend the ceasefire until further notice at Pakistan’s request and until Iran “presented a unified proposal.”
“The Iranian government is seriously divided,” said Donald Trump. “At the request of Marshal Asim Munir (Chief of the Pakistani Army, ed.), as well as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, we have been asked to suspend our attack on Iran until its leaders and representatives can present a unified proposal.” Additionally, the American president indicated that he would maintain his blockade of Iranian ports and assured that his military “remained ready.”
Implemented on April 8th, the ceasefire was theoretically set to end in the night from Tuesday, April 21st to Wednesday, April 22nd. Donald Trump also mentioned on Monday postponing the end of the ceasefire by 24 hours, hoping to reach an agreement.
Iran Still Absent in Pakistan
Talks between the United States and Iran seem increasingly compromised. “We are still awaiting an official response from Iran regarding the confirmation of the participation of a delegation,” added the Pakistani Information Minister on X. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance was still in Washington on Tuesday evening. The White House indicated that he was attending “additional meetings.”
Several other elements indicate that this will be even more challenging than expected. Early in the afternoon, Donald Trump spoke on the Truth Social platform and accused Iran of having “violated the ceasefire on numerous occasions.” On the same day, Abdullah Haji Sadeghi, representative of the Supreme Leader within the Revolutionary Guards, threatened: “We will not consent to negotiations until the enemy acknowledges that we are in a position of victory.”
Published on April 21 at 10:40 PM by Philippine Rouviere Flamand, Lola Uguen, and Maeliss Innocenti, 6Medias
