Shortly before the ultimatum expired, US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran. Negotiations between the warring parties are proceeding slowly as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
The ceasefire between the USA and Iran was due to expire on Wednesday night. Shortly beforehand, US President Trump announced that this was exactly what would happen – only for it to be extended. While the first ceasefire lasted two weeks, there is no end date for this next phase.
Talks between the two warring parties, which were supposed to take place again in Islamabad, Pakistan, have not yet been held. Vice President J. D. Vance was already on the plane, but it did not take off. The reason: silence from Tehran. Iran has not yet agreed to further talks and negotiations, and the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz for ships bound for Iranian ports is seen as an act of war.
“Trump’s extension of the ceasefire is meaningless,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iranian parliamentary speaker Ghalibaf, who is leading Iran’s negotiating delegation. “The losing side cannot determine the terms. The continuation of this siege is no different from a bombardment and must be answered by military means.”
Trump, meanwhile, remains confident of victory. US forces have already destroyed the Iranian navy, air force and important infrastructure and eliminated the country’s leadership, he announced. The country has no choice but to accept a deal. However, it remains unclear how the Americans will now proceed. However, Trump does not intend to lift the blockade until Iran agrees to stop enriching uranium – the country must not develop nuclear weapons, according to Trump, and will not be blackmailed.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important passages for the transportation of oil and other fossil fuels, is therefore still closed to shipping. When Iran announced its intention to open the Strait at the end of last week, some ships (partly by switching off their AIS) and cruise ships were able to pass through, but as Trump did not give in and continued the American blockade, Iran also withdrew its announcement.
