Trump Extends Ceasefire, Keeps Hormuz Blockade, Adds Sanctions

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will extend a ceasefire with Iran, maintain a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and impose new sanctions on 14 individuals and entities until Tehran presents a single, unified proposal to end hostilities.

In a post on Truth, the president said the pause had been due to end Wednesday but would continue because Iran’s government is “seriously fractured.” He wrote he had directed U.S. forces to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and said he acted after requests from Pakistani military and political leaders.

Trump asserted the blockade is costing Iran about $500 million a day and claimed Iranian military and police forces are not being paid. He also repeated allegations that Iranian military capabilities and facilities have been severely damaged and reiterated past accusations about previous U.S. policy toward Tehran.

A planned U.S. delegation trip to Pakistan for a second round of talks with Iranian officials was put on hold. Trump said Iranian negotiators, using a Pakistani intermediary, informed U.S. officials they would not return to talks, calling additional negotiations pointless while U.S. actions prevent an agreement. An adviser to Iran’s parliament characterized the extension as a “ploy to buy time.”

The Treasury Department announced the sanctions Tuesday, identifying 14 people and entities accused of helping Iran acquire components for weapons systems. The department described the penalties as part of an effort to hold Iran accountable for what it called extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate attacks on civilians with missiles and drones.

Scott Bessent, a Treasury official, said, “Under President Trump’s leadership, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury will continue to follow the money and target the Iranian regime’s recklessness and those who enable it.”

Trump framed the blockade and sanctions as financial pressure intended to bring Iran back to the negotiating table with a single proposal. He also criticized a recent newspaper editorial and used derogatory language toward its author, and repeated an allegation that a previous U.S. administration sent cash to Iran.

U.S. officials describe the campaign of penalties as a way to limit Iran’s ability to acquire weapons and to reduce funding for military operations after seven weeks of clashes between U.S.-backed and Iranian-aligned forces. Iranian officials and parliamentary advisers have said the pause could be intended to buy time or preserve leverage for further action.