Middle East Crisis Iran War

Trump: Ceasefire with Iran Extended Until Further Notice

Donald Trump is extending the ceasefire with Iran until further notice, he writes on Truth Social. The US blockade of Iranian ports will also continue.

The ceasefire is being extended at the request of the mediating country Pakistan, Trump writes. Iran's regime is so divided that they have not been able to agree on a proposal for a peace agreement, according to the president.

"Therefore, I have instructed our military to continue the blockade and to be on standby in all respects, and therefore extend the ceasefire until they (Iran, editor's note) submit their proposal and the discussions are concluded in one way or another."

At present, no new peace talks have been officially confirmed.

As long as the US maintains the blockade of Iranian ports, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. This is reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which has links to the Revolutionary Guard, according to Reuters.

“If necessary, Iran will break the blockade militarily,” the news agency added.

Trump’s extended ceasefire means nothing because “the losing side cannot dictate the terms,” writes an adviser to Iran’s speaker and negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on X.

“Maintaining the blockade is tantamount to bombing and must be met with a military response,” he added.

The ceasefire is a way for the US to buy time before a surprise attack, the adviser believes, adding that Iran now “must take the initiative.” 

Strait of Hormuz
China’s call: Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Chinese leader Xi Jinping wants the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened to shipping, according to state media in China. The New York Times reports.

In a conversation with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, Jinping is said to have said that the strait "should remain open for normal passage" because it would be beneficial to the countries' common interests.

China, among other things, imports 40 percent of its oil via the strait. Despite the country's large energy reserves, it will have difficulty dealing with the consequences of global trade coming to a halt.

The strait was first blocked by Iran. Last week, Donald Trump announced that the United States would also prevent ships from passing through.

Jinping has previously had a limited role in the conflict because it wants to have good relations with several countries in the Middle East, while at the same time wanting to work on its relationship with the United States.