By Harold Hutchison
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday that both a cease-fire and a blockade on Iran would remain in place for the time being.
Trump announced a two-week pause in military strikes April 7 hours before a deadline for the Iranian regime to agree to a series of terms expired. Vice President J.D. Vance had been slated to depart for Pakistan for talks Tuesday but had not left Washington, D.C. as the negotiations were delayed, the New York Times reported. (RELATED: CENTCOM Releases Video Showing US Navy ‘Blowing A Hole’ In Cargo Vessel Attempting To Defy Blockade)
“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 posted. “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.”
Iran’s leadership was reportedly divided on whether to continue peace talks, Axios reported, with some sources saying that the Iranian delegation might not depart as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was demanding a hard line be taken during the talks.
Trump imposed the blockade on April 12 after Iran imposed a toll on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
