ISLAMABAD / WASHINGTON (April 22, 2026) — In a dramatic last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday an extension of the ceasefire with Iran. The decision comes specifically at the request of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir, providing a crucial window for the “Islamabad Talks 2.0” to proceed.
Highlights
- President Trump has extended the truce until Tehran submits a “unified proposal” and diplomatic discussions are finalized.
- While direct military strikes are held, the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in force.
- Trump explicitly credited the request from Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership for the pause in “the Attack on the Country of Iran.”
- A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance’s anticipated visit to Pakistan is “not happening today.”
A Critical Diplomatic Window
The announcement arrived as the original April 8 ceasefire neared its expiration. Following intense communication between Islamabad and Washington, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to explain that the internal political fractures within the Iranian government necessitated more time for their leadership to present a cohesive negotiating position.
“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and… remain ready and able,” Trump stated, adding that the ceasefire would hold until discussions are concluded “one way or the other.”
PM Shehbaz thanks Donald Trump for accepting request to extend ceasefire#SamaaTV pic.twitter.com/0mu3xWceDB
— SAMAA TV (@SAMAATV) April 22, 2026
Pakistan’s Response: A Mission for Peace
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to the U.S. President in a statement issued on behalf of himself and Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Premier emphasized that Pakistan would continue its “earnest efforts” to facilitate a negotiated settlement.
“I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad,” the Prime Minister stated, underscoring the trust reposed in Pakistan as a regional mediator.
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.
With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026
Uncertainty in Tehran
While the extension offers a reprieve from imminent conflict, Iran has yet to issue an official response. The “Islamabad Peace Dialogue” faces the complex task of reconciling a fractured Iranian leadership with a U.S. administration that remains “ready and able” for military action should the upcoming proposal fail to meet expectations.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had earlier noted that the previous ceasefire was set to expire at 4:50 AM PST on April 22. This extension effectively pushes the deadline into the weekend, as international delegations continue to arrive in the high-security “Red Zone” of the Pakistani capital.
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