US President Says Cease-Fire Extension Came At Pakistan's Request

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) US President Donald Trump said he would extend a cease-fire with Iran until Tehran presents a proposal to permanently end the conflict, adding that the decision came at the request of Pakistan "so that Iranian leaders can reach a unified proposal."

"Upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir (Pakistan's army chief), and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote 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."

In a post on X, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the United States and Iran to continue adhering to the cease-fire.

"I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to abide by the cease-fire and be able to conclude a comprehensive peace agreement during the second round of talks scheduled to be held in Islamabad, aimed at ending the conflict permanently," he said.

Sharif also thanked Trump for accepting Islamabad's request to extend the cease-fire in the US-Israeli-Iranian war, allowing space for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The United States and Iran had agreed two weeks earlier in Islamabad on a 14-day cease-fire, but the talks yielded no significant progress, prompting the American president to order a blockade of Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran.

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