WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump signaled a shift in tone, saying the United States is open to extending its ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan, even as he maintained a generally hardline stance on the conflict.
In an interview with CNBC, Trump initially said he was not inclined to prolong the truce, emphasizing that time was limited and that Washington was negotiating from a position of strength. “I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said when asked about extending the ceasefire.
However, Trump later indicated that the US may consider an extension after Pakistan appealed for more time to facilitate talks, underscoring Islamabad’s growing role in ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Negotiations are expected to take place in Islamabad, where Pakistani officials have positioned the country as a neutral venue aimed at reviving stalled dialogue and preventing further escalation. A senior Iranian official said Tehran is still weighing its participation, leaving uncertainty over whether talks will proceed as planned.
Despite the possible extension, Trump reiterated that military action remains an option if no agreement is reached. “I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with. But we’re ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go,” he said.
Recent diplomatic signals point to a fragile and fluid situation. Analysts say the proposed talks are part of a broader push involving multiple stakeholders to de-escalate tensions that could disrupt global energy markets and regional stability.
With both sides maintaining firm positions and no formal schedule finalized, the outcome of the talks remains uncertain, raising concerns over a potential resumption of hostilities if negotiations collapse.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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