Trump extended the Iran ceasefire hours before it expired on day 51. Minutes later he told CNBC he expects to resume bombing. No Iranian delegation arrived in Islamabad for the second round of talks.
The Extension
On Truth Social, Trump said he agreed to the extension at the request of Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He cited Iran’s “deeply divided government” as the reason for the pause.
“I have directed our military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and capable,” Trump wrote. “I will extend the ceasefire until their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.”
Minutes later, on CNBC’s Squawk Box, he said the opposite.
“I expect that we will bomb because I think that is the better stance to start with,” Trump said. “We are ready to go. The military is champing at the bit.”
Asked if he wanted the extension, Trump replied: “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time.”
No Show in Islamabad
Iran sent no delegation to Islamabad for the second round.
The New York Times reported that JD Vance suspended his trip to the Pakistani capital after Iran failed to respond to American negotiating positions. A US official said the visit, scheduled for Tuesday, could resume if Iran meets American conditions. The White House wants a signal that Iranian negotiators are ready to sign.
Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad is still waiting for confirmation. The ceasefire expires April 22 at 4:50 AM local time, he said, and Pakistan continues to press Iranian leadership to attend.
Iranian state media sent conflicting signals. Some outlets said no delegation would travel. CNN, citing unnamed Iranian sources, reported that the first-round team of Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf would attend.
Araghchi posted on X that the American blockade of Iranian ports is “an act of war” and a ceasefire violation. “Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests and how to resist bullying,” he wrote.
The Chinese Ship
Trump told CNBC that US forces intercepted a ship carrying a “gift” from China to Iran. He called the cargo “not exactly nice” and said he was surprised, citing an understanding with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Beijing would not assist Tehran.
The US Department of Defense announced a separate nighttime raid on the M/T Tiffany, a “stateless” vessel seized in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pentagon described the ship as part of Iran’s shadow fleet, used to move oil and military equipment while evading international regulators.
Iran’s Oil Threat
IRGC Aerospace Force commander General Majid Mousavi warned Gulf states directly.
“If southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East,” Mousavi told an Iranian news site.
Oil prices trade below $100 per barrel. Markets are watching the ceasefire decision.
Israel Prepares for War
A senior Israeli security official told public broadcaster Kan that Israel doubts a deal can be reached. Israel and the US have been preparing to resume the conflict since the ceasefire began, the official said, including fighter jet and aerial refueling exercises across the Middle East.
“Iranians are trying to buy time and speaking with different voices,” the official said. “We and the Americans are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately.”
Trump told CNBC the US achieved what he called regime change. “We destroyed their navy, destroyed their air force, destroyed their leaders. Honestly, we removed their leaders, which in some ways complicates things, but these leaders are much more rational. It is regime change, however you want to call it.”
EU Expands Sanctions
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said member states agreed to expand sanctions on Iran to include those responsible for the Strait of Hormuz blockade. She also requested reinforcement of the EU maritime mission in the Middle East, which currently protects ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
The previously announced 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine could be confirmed within 24 hours, Kallas said.
Financial Aid for UAE
Trump told CNBC the US is considering financial assistance and a currency swap with the United Arab Emirates, whose economy has taken heavy damage from the war.
“If I could help them, I would help them,” Trump said. “They were a good country. They were our good ally.”
