Tehran [Iran], April 22 (ANI): Iran has rejected the United States’ conditions for negotiations, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), even as US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasfire. The IRIB reported, “Iran rejected the US conditions for negotiations; Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire!.” The IRIB further quoted Trump as saying that the decision to extend the ceasefire came following a request from the Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

IRIB reported, “Trump said that at the request of Pakistan’s army chief, the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran presents a new proposal.” US President Donald Trump 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. (ANI)

Trump vows to maintain blockade as Iran seeks Hormuz reopening “to make $500 million” dail

Washington, DC [US], April 22 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is privately pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stem massive economic losses, despite Tehran’s public rhetoric suggesting a continued standoff.The President’s assertions come amid a prolonged paralysis of shipping through the world’s most critical maritime corridor.

While the diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran persists, the disruption has sent ripples through global energy markets and heightened regional instability.Taking to Truth Social, Trump further that Iran’s outward hostility regarding the waterway is a performance intended for a political audience rather than a reflection of its financial reality.”Iran doesn’t want the Strait of Hormuz closed; they want it open so they can make $500 million a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),” Trump posted, suggesting the blockade is crippling the Iranian economy.

He further dismissed Tehran’s threats to keep the passage shut, describing them as a defensive reaction to US military pressure. “They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to ‘save face,'” the President added.The US leader also revealed that backchannel communications have already begun. According to Trump, intermediaries reached out recently to signal a shift in Tehran’s position.”People approached me four days ago, saying, ‘Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait immediately,'” he claimed. However, he warned that a premature reopening without significant geopolitical concessions would eliminate US leverage in future negotiations.”

But if we do that, there can never be a deal with Iran unless we blow up the rest of their country, their leaders included!” Trump stated, underscoring his hardline approach to the ongoing crisis. Against this volatile backdrop, the President announced late on Wednesday that he would prolong the current ceasefire to provide a window for further diplomacy.

Yet, this extension remains precarious as it appears to be a “unilateral” move.There has been “no immediate confirmation from Iran or Israel” that they intend to honour the truce. Conversely, commentators linked to the Iranian government have cast doubt on Washington’s sincerity, framing the extension as a tactic to “gain a strategic advantage” while the “naval blockade” remains in place.

The stakes remain high as the original ceasefire was “set to expire shortly” before Trump’s intervention. While a second round of negotiations is anticipated in Islamabad, the timing and the list of attendees remain unconfirmed.For now, the Strait of Hormuz stays at the heart of the friction. As the primary artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas, its continued closure poses a persistent threat to “international energy markets and maritime security.” (ANI)

Iran urges UN to press US for release of seized commercial vessel Touska

New York [US], April 22 (ANI): Iran‘s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, has formally urged the global body to press the United States to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, along with its crew and their families, as reported by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.

In a letter sent on Tuesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, Ambassador Iravani raised “urgent concern” over what he described as ongoing international law violations by the United States, including the deliberate targeting of Iranian commercial ships. Iravani detailed the incident involving the Touska, stating that US forces had captured the vessel in the Sea of Oman near Iran‘s coast a day earlier, calling the move a “hostile and unlawful act.”

“This attack involved coercion, intimidation, and reckless endangerment of the lives of the ship’s crew and their families,” he added.He highlighted the serious legal and security concerns, stating that the seizure of the civilian vessel amounted to a clear violation of core principles of international law, including the fundamental prohibition on aggression.

“The deliberate intimidation and psychological terror inflicted on the crew and their families further aggravate the severity of this act. Such conduct amounts to maritime piracy and represents a dangerous escalation that severely threatens the safety and security of vital shipping routes,” he said.

Iravani further stated that the incident bears all the characteristics of aggression as outlined in a relevant UN General Assembly resolution, and also represents a breach of the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 7.

“This action poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, further destabilising an already fragile situation,” he said.The envoy said Iran firmly condemns the move as unlawful and urged the UN to take swift and decisive action by clearly denouncing the attack, holding those responsible accountable, and pressing the United States to release the vessel and everyone on board. (ANI)

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