Washington, DC [US], April 22 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said he has decided to extend the ceasefire with Iran to give its leadership more time to come up with a unified proposal for negotiations.He said the decision was taken after requests from Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said Iran‘s government appears “seriously fractured” and needs time to present a clear position.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “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 added that the US military will continue its blockade and remain ready, while the ceasefire will stay in place until Iran submits its proposal and talks are concluded.”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. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” the post read.

The ceasefire, brokered earlier this month to allow space for diplomatic engagement, has remained fragile, with both sides expressing reservations about its implementation. Meanwhile, earlier, US Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Pakistan for a second round of talks with Iran has been put on hold after Tehran did not respond to the US proposals, according to a US official familiar with the matter on Tuesday, as cited by The New York Times.Iran, meanwhile, said it has not yet decided whether to resume negotiations with the United States.

US sanctions target Iranian weapons and UAV procurement networks

The United States has imposed sanctions on 14 individuals, entities, and aircraft linked to Iran, targeting networks involved in procuring and transporting weapons and components for the Iranian regime, as per the release by the US Department of the Treasury. The action was announced by the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, which said those designated are based in Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

The sanctions aim to disrupt supply chains supporting Iran’s military capabilities.According to the Treasury, the move comes as the United States continues efforts to deplete Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles, while Tehran is attempting to rebuild its production capacity. Officials said Iran has increasingly relied on Shahed-series one-way attack drones to target US interests and allies, including critical energy infrastructure in the region.”The Iranian regime must be held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate targeting of civilians with missiles and drones,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury will continue to follow the money and target the Iranian regime’s recklessness and those who enable it,” he said. The action builds on the implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, under which Washington has directed agencies to restrict Iran’s ballistic missile programme, counter its development of both asymmetric and conventional weapons, and prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The policy also seeks to block the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from accessing resources that sustain its activities.Officials said the latest move marks the fifth round of nonproliferation-related designations imposed by the US Department of the Treasury following the reimposition of sanctions and restrictions on Iran by the United Nations on September 27, 2025.Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Pakistan for a second round of talks with Iran has been put on hold after Tehran did not respond to the US proposals, according to a US official familiar with the matter on Tuesday, as cited by The New York Times.Iran, meanwhile, said it has not yet decided whether to resume negotiations with the United States. (ANI)

JD Vance cancels Islamabad visit for Iran talks after ceasefire extension

Washington, DC [US], April 22 (ANI): US Vice President JD Vance has cancelled his upcoming diplomatic mission to Islamabad for Iran-related negotiations indefinitely, The Wall Street Journal reported. This decision follows President Donald Trump’s recent declaration of a “ceasefire extension” and his demand for a “unified proposal” from Tehran.The high-stakes visit, which was “scheduled for Tuesday,” has now been “called off with no new dates set,” according to a White House official.

The cancellation signals a shift in the administration’s timeline as Washington waits for a more cohesive diplomatic signal from the Iranian leadership.Regarding the possibility of future talks, the White House official further noted that “any future travel for diplomatic engagements will be announced later.” The postponement comes as the Trump administration recalibrates its approach to the region, prioritising a singular, comprehensive framework before resuming high-level executive discussions in the Pakistani capital.

In tandem with this diplomatic pause, US President Donald Trump has announced a further extension of the ceasefire involving Iran, citing a direct appeal from the Pakistani leadership to delay a planned military strike.The decision was made public just hours before the previous deadline was due to expire. In a statement characterising the Iranian administration as “seriously fractured,” the US President clarified that the maritime “blockade” of Iranian ports would remain in effect until Washington receives a “unified proposal” from the leadership in Tehran.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump explained that the pause in hostilities was granted “upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan.” He noted that the US had “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 further confirmed that he has “directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able,” confirming that the ceasefire would hold “until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”

The announcement, however, was met with immediate hostility from Tehran. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker, dismissed the American gesture, asserting that the “losing side cannot dictate terms.”

He argued that the extension “means nothing” to the Iranian government and called for a military escalation against US forces.In a post on X, Mohammadi stated that “Trump’s extension of the ceasefire means nothing” as the “losing side cannot set the terms.” He further argued that “continuing the siege is no different from bombing and must be responded to militarily,” warning that the extension is likely a tactic for “buying time for a surprise strike” and concluding that “it is time for Iran to take the initiative.”This latest development follows the collapse of earlier diplomatic efforts. A previous attempt to secure a long-term agreement failed after a gruelling “21-hour-long negotiation” between the two nations in Islamabad ended without a breakthrough. (ANI)

Iran snubs Pakistan: No Iranian delegation sent for Islamabad Talks, says state media

Tehran [Iran], April 21 (ANI): Iran on Tuesday has flatly denied that any delegation has travelled to Islamabad for the second round of peace talks with the United States aimed at achieving a complete halt in the hostilities in West Asia, in a major blow to Pakistan‘s diplomatic ambitions as mediators in the peace efforts.

According to Iranian state media, IRNA, citing diplomatic sources, no delegation from Iran has been dispatched to Islamabad “so far”, dismissing recent reports.The source further clarified that neither official nor unofficial information has even been received regarding Iranian involvement in the Islamabad talks, as reported by IRNA.Significantly, the source highlighted a stinging lack of confidence in the host nation, emphasising that security considerations remain a top priority for any potential delegation–a subtle indictment of Pakistan‘s ability to guarantee the safety of high-level participants.

This revelation from Tehran directly contradicts the narrative being pushed by the Pakistani government.While Islamabad has attempted to portray itself as a central mediator in the West Asian crisis, Iranian officials have maintained a firm stance: Tehran will not engage in negotiations under threats.

The denial follows a series of increasingly frantic statements from Pakistan‘s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, who admitted on X that a “formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited.”Despite the clear snub from Iran, Tarar attempted to maintain a facade of ongoing diplomacy, noting that Pakistan remains in “constant touch with Iranians.”However, his posts reflect a government scrambling to save face as its primary guest ignores the invitation.

“Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of two weeks ceasefire is critical,” Tarar posted, underscoring the looming threat of failure for the summit.The situation is further complicated by a glaring lack of coordination regarding when the ceasefire might actually end.

While Tarar, in his post, emphasised that the ceasefire expires at 4:50 am Pakistan time on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump provided a different timeline, stating the ceasefire would end on “Wednesday evening Washington time”.

This discrepancy highlights the chaotic nature of the negotiations, with Pakistan struggling to maintain a cohesive narrative between two global adversaries.Meanwhile, developments in Washington indicate ongoing internal deliberations on the matter.

According to sources cited by CNN, it remains unclear when US Vice President JD Vance will depart for Pakistan, if at all.A White House official told CNN that “additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the Vice President will participate”, suggesting that discussions on the next steps are still underway.

CNN sources further indicated that senior US officials are continuing consultations to determine the course of action ahead of the ceasefire deadline, with Vance expected to be part of those discussions.The proposed talks in Islamabad are being closely watched amid heightened tensions and fragile diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. With no confirmation yet from Tehran and time running out on the ceasefire, the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain. (ANI)

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