Middle East War: Iran imposes its tempo against Donald Trump

“The ceasefire is extended until the submission of a proposal” from Iran within the negotiations, Donald Trump wrote on his social network Tuesday. However, the situation remains uncertain, amid pressure and divisions.

Just 24 hours ago, Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran. The American president ultimately chose to extend the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump assures that he is awaiting a proposal from Iran to end the war, implying that both parties want to give negotiation a chance.

“Based on the fact that the Iranian government is severely divided and at the request of Pakistan, we have been asked to suspend our attack on Iran until their leaders can present a unified proposal”, Donald Trump stated on Tuesday, April 21. The American press believes that both Americans and Pakistanis are waiting for a response from the Iranian Supreme Leader and clear guidance given to their negotiators. These statements come after a day marked by confusion and pressure. On the evening of April 21, no agreement was reached on the precise outcome of the ceasefire. The departure of American Vice President, JD Vance, to Islamabad was put on hold. On the Iranian side, negotiations were refused as long as the American navy maintained its naval blockade. These are all ways to push the other party to make a move, but if the conditions for a meeting were not met, nobody seemed willing to resume hostilities.

The divisions Donald Trump mentions within the Iranian government are likely real but possibly exaggerated. There is uncertainty about the health of the Supreme Leader and his influence. Additionally, there may be divergences. Like a poker table, within the regime, there are those who want to leave the table with the winnings accumulated so far, and those who bet on American eagerness to exit the conflict in hopes of gaining more. However, there is unanimous agreement in Iran not to negotiate under pressure and to receive a gesture of goodwill from the Americans, such as lifting the blockade. Currently, Donald Trump insists that he has ordered his army to maintain the siege.

This extension of the ceasefire “until further notice” represents an American setback. Despite his threats, it is clear that Donald Trump primarily wants to end the war. By making numerous statements and contradictions, he muddles his message and weakens his stance. In this specific case, he contradicts himself from the previous day when he explained that he did not want to postpone the truce. After setting several ultimatums in three weeks without adhering to any, the American president no longer sets a deadline. It is necessary to show humility when analyzing a strategy and communication so far from rationality, and Donald Trump, as always, will likely spin the situation as a triumph. But in terms of concrete negotiation, the positions remain far apart.