ANI
18 Apr 2026, 10:02 GMT+10
Washington DC [US], April 18 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) indicated that he may not extend the ongoing ceasefire with Iran, raising the prospect of renewed military action in the region if a deal is not reached with the Islamic Republic in order to achieve a complete halt to the hostilities in West Asia.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One during a press gaggle, Trump said the decision would depend on whether an agreement is reached before the ceasefire deadline.
He further noted that even if a ceasefire deal is not reached, the US naval blockade of the ports of Iran will continue.
'Maybe I won't extend it. But the blockade is going to remain, but maybe I won't extend it. So, you have a blockade, and unfortunately, we'll have to start dropping bombs again,' the US President said.
Trump was responding to a question on whether the ceasefire would be extended if no deal were reached by Wednesday, April 22, when the current two-week truce is set to expire.
The remarks suggest a hardening stance by the United States, with Trump making clear that while the blockade would continue, the pause in hostilities may not.
Meanwhile, a fresh round of talks between Iranian and American negotiators is expected to take place in Islamabad on Monday to reach a deal, CNN reported, citing Iranian officials familiar with the discussions.
According to CNN, the delegations are likely to arrive in the Pakistani capital on Sunday.
The visit aims to prepare the ground for a possible solution between the two sides after earlier discussions ended in a stalemate.
The Islamabad Peace Talks, held from April 11 to April 12, marked a historic but inconclusive diplomatic attempt to end the over-month-long hostilities between the United States and Iran. Mediated by Pakistan, the talks were the first high-level, face-to-face negotiations between the two nations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Chile Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Chile Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: REUTERS/Albert Gea) The consensus World Cup favorite could be in danger of missing its top attacking option after...
(Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images) Building on his recent ATP poll ascent, Madrid native Rafael Jodar battled back from one...
(Photo credit: Esports World Cup Foundation) HEROIC, South America Rejects and Team Spirit secured the final three playoff spots...
(Photo credit: Reuters/Peter Cziborra) Brazil forward Estevao's participation in this summer's FIFA World Cup reportedly is in jeopardy...
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Veteran Telugu director and producer Tripuraneni Chittibabu has passed away. He...
New Delhi [India], April 22 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint before the Rouse...
(260423) -- SANYA, April 23, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Omar Alsuwaidi (L) and Abdulmalik Al Murdhi react after the Jiu Jitsu men's 62kg semifinal...
It takes time for the global oil market to return to normal prices amid the Iran war and the Hormuz blockade. For the second time in...
Kyiv [Ukraine], April 23 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a prolonged conflict in Iran could jeopardise...
Washington, DC [US], April 23 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has amplified a provocative critique of birthright citizenship by sharing...
Study based on Eurostat and UN data shows uneven inflows as anti-immigration sentiment grows The number of immigrants in the European...
New York [US], April 23 (ANI): India has reiterated its strong commitment to multilateralism and called for greater representation...
