A man reads a newspaper with a front page article referring to anticipated US-Iran peace talks, at a stall in Islamabad on Apr 22, 2026. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked US President Donald Trump for extending a ceasefire with Iran and indefinitely pushing back the end of the two-week truce, with Tehran silent on the decision early on Apr 22. (Photo: AFP/Asif Hassan)

Trump cites 'seriously fractured' Iranian government as he extends ceasefire

The US president's announcement appeared to be unilateral, with Iran yet to officially comment.

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Apr 21) he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, hours before it was set to expire, to allow the two countries to continue peace talks.

Backing down from threats of new violence earlier in the day, Trump said in a statement he had agreed to a request by mediator Pakistan until Iran's "leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal".

Trump also said he decided to extend the ceasefire because "the government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so". 

His announcement appeared to be unilateral, and it was not immediately clear whether Iran or Israel would agree to extend the ceasefire, which first began two weeks ago.

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Source: CNA/gs

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