Defense & National Security Newsletter

Trump extends Iran ceasefire and naval blockade

by Filip Timotija - 04/21/26 7:13 PM ET

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by Filip Timotija - 04/21/26 7:13 PM ET

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The Big Story

Trump extends Iran ceasefire and naval blockade

President Trump said he would extend the U.S. ceasefire with Iran until Tehran provides a unified proposal, but added that the U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place.

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

“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,” the president wrote in a post on Truth Social.

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” Trump said.

The U.S. delegation’s trip to Pakistan, where Vice President Vance and other officials were planning to discuss the ceasefire with Iranian counterparts, will not happen on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday, adding that “any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House.”

Earlier this morning, Trump said in an interview on CNBC that he was opposed to extending the fragile ceasefire.

“We don’t have much time,” the president said, adding that he expected “bombing” to happen if no deal was struck with Tehran.

Trump added that Iran could get itself “on very good footing if they make a deal.”

The extension of the ceasefire came after Iran’s negotiating team told the U.S. through Pakistan that it would not be in Islamabad for diplomatic talks, Iran’s state-run news agency Tasnim reported.

Read the full repot at thehill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

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Foreign Policy magazine is hosting a webinar tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET on “What’s next for Iran?”

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- A-10s escape retirement once again amid continued use in Iran war (Defense One)

2 Cruise Ships Exit Strait of Hormuz After Being Stranded for Weeks (The New York Times)

- Saudi Arabia and Iraq Are Caught in a Hidden War Within the War (The Wall Street Journal)

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