Trump’s Unilateral Ceasefire Extension has No Importance: Iran

Web Desk
April 22, 2026

TEHRAN – Iran has formally rejected US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire extension, dismissing it as a “unilateral” declaration with no validity and warning that the ongoing naval blockade is “equivalent to bombing” and must be met with military action .

The statement came from a senior adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the head of Iran’s delegation at the ongoing Islamabad talks.

‘The Losing Side Cannot Impose Conditions’

The adviser issued a scathing response to Trump’s announcement:

“President Trump’s unilateral announcement of a ceasefire extension has no significance. The side that has lost a war cannot impose conditions on the other,” the adviser stated.

The remark directly challenges Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States has destroyed Iran’s military capabilities and is holding “all the cards” in the negotiations.

Blockade ‘Equivalent to Bombing’

The adviser drew a sharp equivalence between the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and direct military action:

“The ongoing blockade against Iran is equivalent to bombing. The response to it must come in the form of military action,” he warned.

The statement escalates Tehran’s rhetoric against the US Navy presence in the Gulf, raising the prospect of potential clashes between Iranian forces and American warships enforcing the blockade.

Ceasefire Extension a ‘Trick’

The adviser expressed deep skepticism about Washington’s intentions, suggesting the ceasefire extension may be a tactical ploy:

“The extension of the ceasefire could be a trick to buy time for a surprise attack. Therefore, Iran must take the initiative and take control of the situation itself.”

This reflects Tehran’s fundamental distrust of US intentions, despite the ongoing diplomatic engagement in Islamabad.

Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire on Pakistan’s Request

‘The War Is Over, But Blockade Continues’

Iranian state media has consistently framed the situation as one where active bombing has ceased but economic warfare continues unabated.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei previously stated that the blockade is “no different from military aggression” and that Iran reserves the right to respond to it proportionally.

The Iranian position creates a difficult dynamic for the Islamabad negotiations. While Tehran has not walked away from the talks, its public rhetoric suggests a deep unwillingness to accept the ceasefire extension on Trump’s terms — particularly with the blockade still in place.