Washington: President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will indefinitely extend its ceasefire with Iran, a decision aimed at providing more time for diplomatic efforts. However, the move has been met with skepticism in Tehran, as the U.S. continues its aggressive naval blockade of Iranian ports.

In a statement shared on social media, Trump noted that he agreed to the extension following requests from Pakistani mediators, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. The president stated he would "hold our attack" until Iranian leaders could present a "unified proposal" and peace discussions were concluded. Despite the halt in aerial strikes, Trump emphasized that the U.S. military would continue its maritime blockade, which Iran views as an ongoing act of war.

The extension comes amid significant internal turmoil in Iran and the recent postponement of a planned trip to Islamabad by U.S. Vice President JD Vance. While the ceasefire offers a temporary reprieve from direct bombardment, Iranian officials have dismissed the move as a "ploy to buy time." A spokesperson for Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, argued that the continuation of the blockade is equivalent to active conflict and warned of a potential military response.

Tensions also remain high in the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC reportedly seized two commercial vessels on Wednesday. As the global energy market continues to reel from the conflict, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with both sides maintaining a high level of military readiness.

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