Trump extends US-Iran ceasefire; Iranian forces fire on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz

The article references Defence News items noting that in the Iran conflict, Trump extended the ceasefire, while the massing of US forces raises the risk of boots-on-ground involvement.

The New York Post quoted President Trump saying that a second round of US-Iran talks could take place as early as Friday, with potential action within 36 to 72 hours.

The Iranian envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, again engaged with Pakistani leaders to discuss ongoing regional peace efforts.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed thanks to President Trump for extending the ceasefire and said both sides should observe it while working toward a comprehensive peace deal during the second round of talks in Islamabad.

Islamabad’s Red Zone, housing government buildings, remained sealed to the public with extensive security measures, including deployment of more than 10,000 security personnel and army patrolling.

Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran has not issued any official statement confirming its agreement to extend the ceasefire.

Another vessel, Euphoria, was stopped after being fired upon, according to BBC reporting.

The Revolutionary Guards intercepted and transferred two vessels, MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES, to Iranian territorial waters for inspection after reports they were exiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian forces fired on three ships and seized two of them in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions as the ceasefire period extended.

Trump stated that the ceasefire extension was granted because the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, and that the extension was requested by Pakistan's leaders; he directed the military to hold attacks until a unified proposal is presented, while the blockade remains.

Iranian envoy to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the US, calling the blockade of Iranian ports an act of war and a violation of the ceasefire.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on 14 individuals, entities and aircraft based in Iran, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates for involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or weapons components for Iran.

The US said its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude in Asia; the location of the boarding was not disclosed.

President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the US-Iran ceasefire at Pakistan’s request, saying the US would refrain from attacking Iran until its leadership presents a unified proposal; the economic blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place.

The first round of US-Iran talks held in Islamabad concluded without a breakthrough.

The first round of US-Iran talks was held in Islamabad; the talks failed to produce a breakthrough.

The Iran war began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes.