Lack of response from Tehran, internal divisions, and economic pressure weighed on the decision.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, decided to extend the ceasefire with Iran without setting a new deadline. The measure was announced on the eve of the truce’s expiration, this Tuesday (22), amid stalled negotiations and uncertainty over the Iranian government’s position.
The extension was conditioned on the presentation of a proposal from Tehran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the truce should remain “until a proposal is presented and discussions are concluded.” At the same time, he ordered the Armed Forces to maintain the naval blockade, a strategy used to pressure the country into negotiations.
Iranian silence
In the days leading up to the decision, U.S. officials were awaiting a response from Iran to a list of conditions sent by Washington. According to reports from government officials to CNN International, no response had been received by the time of the White House meeting that decided on the extension.
The lack of a clear position was attributed to internal difficulties within the Iranian regime. U.S. government assessments suggest there was no consensus on key issues, such as the level of uranium enrichment and the fate of existing stockpiles.
In social media posts, Trump mentioned that the Iranian government was “seriously fragmented,” which would justify granting more time for a unified position to be formed.
Maintaining negotiations
The request to maintain the truce also came from international intermediaries. According to Trump, the request was made by Field Marshal Asim Munir and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who are acting as mediators in the process.
U.S. officials were trying to secure at least a minimal sign of progress before a new round of in-person talks. The possibility of a meeting between negotiators remains open, but without a defined date.
The decision to delay a resumption of attacks comes amid a scenario of significant economic impact for both sides. The blockade in the Strait of Hormuz affects the global flow of oil, with direct effects on prices and supply chains.
Trump himself acknowledged that there are costs involved in maintaining the conflict and indicated a preference for a negotiated solution. At the same time, he resists lifting the blockade before a final agreement, a condition publicly demanded by Iran to resume dialogue.
Risk of escalation
The extension also reflects caution regarding the risk of expanding a conflict that has already raised regional tensions. An immediate offensive could generate negative reactions domestically in the U.S. and internationally, especially among Trump’s allies.
On the Iranian side, the interpretation is different. An advisor to Parliament described the measure as an attempt to “buy time” for a possible future attack, indicating distrust of American intentions.
The decision to extend the ceasefire concluded a day of contradictory signals. Hours earlier, Trump had indicated he might resume bombings soon. The shift in position highlights the deadlock in negotiations and the difficulty of advancing on key issues such as sanctions and the nuclear program.
Without an agreement and without a defined deadline, the ceasefire now depends on the progress of talks and both sides’ ability to reduce differences on critical points.
