Trump extends Iran ceasefire, maintains US blockade on ports

Earlier, President Trump on Friday, April 17, had said that the naval blockade targeting Iran will remain in place until an agreement with Tehran is completely finalised.The extension of ceasefire comes as the US and Iran are exploring a second round of peace talks, following the failure to reach an agreement during the first round of negotiations held in Islamabad.Also Read: US-Iran fail to reach agreement in Islamabad peace talks, says JD VanceIn a Truth social post on Monday, April 20, Donald Trump had said that the nuclear agreement currently being negotiated with Iran would be “far better” than the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme.April 8 ceasefire announcementTrump on Wednesday, April 8 Indian Time, had announced that he has agreed to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks. He made the announcement on Truth Social, just minutes after the US market futures began trading on Wall Street.He has repeatedly said since the ceasefire began on April 8 that his administration is engaging with Iranian officials open to a deal.Iran slams ceasefire ployAn advisor to Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator MB Ghalibaf has described Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire as a “ploy to buy time” for a potential surprise strike on Iran, reports Reuters.In a post on X, the advisor said the continuation of the US blockade on Iranian ports was “no different from bombardment” and must be met with a military response, signalling a sharp escalation in rhetoric.

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