What is known for now about the extension of the ceasefire between the United States and Iran?
Around 10:00 p.m. (Spanish time), with the ceasefire about to expire and none of the delegations having yet arrived in Islamabad (Pakistan), the president of the United States announced the extension of the truce. These are the key points:
What is behind this decision? The president has justified the extension by saying that “the Government of Iran is seriously divided” and by the express request of the head of the Pakistani Army, Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Islamabad asked for time so that Tehran could arrive at the talks with a consensual position.
How long does it last? There is no specific date. Trump has said the ceasefire will last until Iran presents “a unified proposal” and negotiations are “concluded, one way or another.”
What doesn’t change? The naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz remains in place. Trump has ordered his military to remain “ready and operational” for the duration of the negotiations. Iran conditions its participation in the talks precisely on the lifting of this blockade.
Where are the negotiators? The American delegation did not travel to Islamabad. Iran did not send its representatives either: until the last minute, the Iranian foreign spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, had not confirmed whether they would attend, alleging “contradictory messages and behavior” from Washington.
