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  "path": "/partner/trump-extends-iran-ceasefire-on-pakistans-request-keeps-naval-blockade-in-place",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-21T20:45:38.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "tags": [
    "April 21, 2026",
    "Attaullah Tarar",
    "@CMShehbaz"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nPakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for extending the ceasefire with Iran, saying the move would allow diplomatic efforts to continue.\n\nIn a post on X, Sharif said: “On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.”\n\nHe added, “With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict. I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict.”\n\n> On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.\n>\n> With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan…\n> — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026\n\n\n\n\nEarlier, Trump said he was extending the ceasefire while awaiting what he described as a “unified proposal” from Tehran, as Washington maintains a naval blockade and regional diplomacy intensifies.\n\n“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.\n\nTrump said the pause on U.S. military action would continue until Iran’s leaders and representatives submit a consolidated proposal and discussions are concluded “one way or the other,” according to a post on Truth Social.\n\nHe added that he had directed the U.S. military to continue a blockade of Iranian ports and remain “ready and able.”\n\nEarlier Tuesday, Trump told _CNBC_ that Washington was negotiating from what he described as a “very, very strong negotiating” position and said, “We’re going to end up with a great deal. I think they have no choice.”\n\nHe also said it was “highly unlikely” the ceasefire would be extended further and warned that if it expired, “then lots of bombs start going off.”\n\n### Ceasefire extension and blockade\n\nThe U.S. Defense Department said Tuesday that American forces intercepted and boarded a “stateless sanctioned” vessel as part of efforts targeting networks supporting Iran. AFP identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.\n\nTrump said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would remain until a deal is reached.\n\nDaniel Byman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a commentary that the standoff reflects “a struggle of political endurance and bargaining leverage” rather than capabilities alone.\n\nOil prices fell Tuesday while global stock markets rose on hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough, despite continued uncertainty over the ceasefire.\n\n### Pakistan mediation efforts\n\nPakistan has continued to play a mediating role, pushing for continued dialogue. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar urged the parties “to consider extending the ceasefire and to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance,” according to a Pakistani foreign ministry statement.\n\nInformation Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad had not yet received formal confirmation from Iran regarding participation in talks and called the decision “critical” as the ceasefire window narrows.\n\nIn Islamabad, security was tightened significantly around the government quarter. Heavily armed police and soldiers secured the area, including the Serena hotel, which previously hosted negotiations. Guests had been asked to vacate in recent days, and much of the city saw increased security deployments, with offices, schools and businesses preparing for possible shutdown orders.\n\n### Regional tensions and wider diplomacy\n\nIn Tehran, Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not accept talks “under the shadow of threats” and warned the country would “show new cards on the battlefield” if hostilities resume.\n\nIn comments reported by AFP from Paris-based journalists speaking to residents in Iran’s capital, some civilians described worsening conditions despite the truce.\n\n“This cursed ceasefire has broken us. There is no light at the end of the tunnel,” said Saghar, 39. “The situation is terrible. I don’t know anyone around me who is doing well.”\n\nSeparately, diplomatic activity continued elsewhere in the region. A State Department official told AFP that Israel and Lebanon will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday. The countries have no diplomatic relations.\n\nA separate 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was agreed Friday and included Hezbollah, whose rocket fire in support of Iran has drawn Lebanon into the wider regional conflict.\n\nDespite the agreement, sporadic violence has continued. Israel’s military said Hezbollah launched rockets at its forces in Lebanon and said it struck the launcher used in the attack.\n\nLebanese government figures say Israeli strikes have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the conflict, according to the latest toll cited.",
  "title": "Pakistan PM thanks Trump for Iran ceasefire extension, backs diplomacy"
}