22 April 2026
Doubt in Tehran regarding Trump’s ceasefire extension
US President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, leaving the world waiting to see whether Tehran and Israel will accept a move that has shaken global markets after several weeks of war.
Trump said the United States has agreed to a request by Pakistan, which has hosted mediation efforts in Islamabad, to halt attacks on Iran until its leaders come to what he called a “unified resolution” and negotiations conclude.
However, uncertainty remained high.
Senior Iranian officials had not formally responded as of Wednesday morning, while initial reactions in Tehran were skeptical. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim news agency said Iran had not asked for a ceasefire extension and had repeatedly threatened to break the US naval blockade by force.
Iran considers the US Navy’s blockade of Iranian trade by sea as an act of war.
According to Reuters news agency, an adviser to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Trump’s announcement could be a ploy, even though Trump’s rhetoric has been widely reported. Just hours before extending the ceasefire, he said he expected US bombing of Iran to resume.
Iran’s influence on the global economy was
The conflict has also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, sending oil prices soaring and raising fears of a recession.
Elsewhere, it is forcing countries to review their reliance on maritime trade for essential goods including food and fuel.
Due to this, business in the Middle East has also been badly affected.
UN chief Antonio Guterres described the ceasefire extension as an important step towards reducing tensions, and urged all sides to “reach a durable and lasting solution”.