Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire at Last Minute; Naval Blockade Remains in Force

With the US-Iran ceasefire set to expire at 7:50 p.m. ET on April 21, 2026, President Trump announced a last-minute indefinite extension — averting what would have been the resumption of major military strikes. Trump posted on Truth Social: 'I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.' Trump said the extension was made at Pakistan's request and described it as conditional on Iran submitting a credible diplomatic proposal. Crucially, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz remains fully in force. The US military had by this point struck more than 8,000 Iranian targets including 130 vessels, according to Admiral Brad Cooper. Iran's Foreign Ministry expressed qualified acknowledgment of the extension but refused to withdraw its conditions: ending the blockade, releasing $6 billion in frozen assets, and nuclear program guarantees. The ceasefire — which began April 7 after 52 days of US-Israel strikes on Iran — entered an open-ended second phase with no formal Iranian commitment to new talks.