Iran live updates: Trump announces he's extending ceasefire

The ceasefire announced earlier this month was set to expire on April 22.

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Last updated: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 11:00PM GMT
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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire, initial U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan earlier this month failed to reach a peace deal. On Tuesday, Trump announced he is extending the ceasefire and continuing the blockade until Iran's proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded "one way or the other."

BySomayeh Malekian ABCNews logo
10:56 AM GMT

Iran ready to 'respond decisively' to enemies, military says

Gen. Ali Abdollahi, the commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters -- the country's top joint military command -- said on Tuesday that Tehran is prepared to "respond decisively to the enemy's breach of promises," as quoted by the official Islamic Republic News Agency.

"The enemy is desperately seeking a ceasefire" due to the "crushing and destructive blows" of the Iranian missile and drone attacks, Abdullahi said.

BySomayeh Malekian ABCNews logo
10:55 AM GMT

No Iranian delegation has departed for Islamabad, state media says

Iranian state television reported on Tuesday morning that no delegation had departed for Islamabad.

Iranian officials, the broadcaster said on Telegram, maintain that they "do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats or broken promises" and that any continued participation in talks depends on a change in "the behavior and positions of the Americans."

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10:49 AM GMT

Iran won't negotiate 'under threat of force,' ambassador says

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said in a post to X on Tuesday that Iran "will Not negotiate under Threat and Force," as U.S. and Iranian representatives prepared to meet for a new round of expected peace talks in Islamabad.

A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
A police officer walks past billboards near the Serena Hotel ahead of the second round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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3:59 AM GMT

Leavitt says US-Iran are on 'brink' of a deal, insists Trump 'does not bluff'

Speaking to Fox News Monday evening, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. and Iran are on the "brink" of securing a deal, though she did not provide any insight into the state of potential peace talks.

"The United States of America tonight have never been so close to making a truly good deal," she said.

This comes despite Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issuing a new statement Monday: "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield."

Leavitt also praised President Donald Trump's "hard-line negotiating style," something she has previously credited for bringing Iran to the table.

"Thanks to the success of the military operation and his hard-line negotiating style, we are on the brink of a deal. If not, the president as commander in chief still has a number of options at his disposal he is not afraid to use, President Trump has proven before he does not bluff," Leavitt said.

-ABC News' Emily Chang