US President Donald Trump has announced an open-ended extension of the ceasefire with Iran, stepping back from earlier warnings and giving diplomacy more time to deliver a potential deal.
The decision, made after a White House meeting with his national security team, came just hours before the truce was due to expire on Wednesday evening (Washington time), averting the immediate risk of renewed conflict and a broader regional escalation.
Earlier in a statement, the White House reaffirmed the administration’s firm stance, insisting the United States would not be drawn into what it described as another “disastrous deal” with Tehran.
“Make no mistake, President Trump won’t drag the United States into another disastrous deal with Iran,” the statement said.
Despite that warning, Trump signalled confidence that a negotiated outcome remains within reach.
“If a deal happens under ‘TRUMP,’ it will guarantee peace, security, and safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else.”
The extension marks a shift in tone from just days earlier, when Trump had suggested it was “highly unlikely” he would prolong the two-week ceasefire without a breakthrough. He had also said he would not be “rushed into making a bad deal”, even as he expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached “relatively quickly”.
The White House said the ceasefire — along with a blockade — would remain in place until negotiations are concluded “one way or the other”.
However, uncertainty continues to cloud the next phase of talks. A US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations, though no official timetable has been confirmed.
Officials in Tehran have dampened expectations, stating they currently have “no plans” to participate in further talks in Pakistan, underscoring the fragile state of diplomacy.
At the same time, parallel diplomatic efforts are continuing elsewhere. The US State Department has confirmed that representatives from Israel and Lebanon will meet in Washington on Thursday for a second round of discussions, marking their first engagement since a recent 10-day ceasefire between the two sides.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
