By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON -  US President Donald J. Trump announced late Tuesday that he has extended the ceasefire with Iran following a direct request from Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership, temporarily halting planned military action to allow for diplomatic negotiations.

In an official statement released on his social media platform, Trump said the decision came after appeals from Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who asked Washington to hold its attack until Iran’s leadership can present a unified proposal.

“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump said.

The President directed the U.S. military to maintain the naval blockade while remaining “ready and able” to act. The ceasefire, which had been set to expire at 4:50 a.m. PST on April 22, will now remain in effect until Tehran submits its proposal and discussions conclude “one way or the other.”

- Pakistan Thanks Trump as Mediation Efforts Continue

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude for the U.S. president’s decision.

“On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course,” Sharif wrote.

He added that Pakistan would continue its “earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict” and expressed hope that both sides would observe the ceasefire and conclude a comprehensive peace deal during a second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad.

As the clock ticked toward the original deadline, uncertainty remained over whether Iran would participate in the proposed talks.

In a detailed update posted Tuesday evening, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the formal response from the Iranian side regarding confirmation of a delegation to attend the Islamabad Peace Talks was still awaited.

“Pakistan as the mediator is in constant touch with Iranians and pursuing the path of diplomacy and dialogue,” Tarar wrote. He noted that the ceasefire was originally set to end at 4:50 a.m. PST on April 22 and that Iran’s decision to attend the talks before that deadline was “critical.”

Tarar confirmed that Pakistan has made “sincere efforts” to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks, and those efforts continue.

In his statement, Trump also addressed Iran’s posture regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments.

“Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),” Trump said. “They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face.’”

The president added that people approached him four days ago, claiming Iran wanted to reopen the strait immediately. But Trump rejected that path, warning that lifting the blockade without a deal would be futile.

“If we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!” he declared.

With the ceasefire now extended, all eyes turn to Tehran. The ball is in Iran’s court: confirm participation in the Islamabad talks or risk the collapse of diplomatic efforts and a potential resumption of hostilities.

Pakistan continues to mediate, but as Tarar noted, time and Iranian cooperation remain the decisive factors. The second round of talks in Islamabad -- should they occur -- could determine whether the region moves toward a permanent peace or back to the brink of war.