Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire, Citing "Deep Divisions Within Iran"

[The Financial News]  
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Donald Trump extended the Iran ceasefire period again on the 21st, local time.
He said the decision was based on "deep divisions" within the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The move appears aimed at giving Iran time to coordinate its negotiating position, given the differences within its leadership.
According to CNBC and other foreign media outlets, Trump did not specify an end date in the latest extension. Instead, he said the ceasefire would remain in effect until the Iranian leadership and its negotiating team present a "unified proposal" to end the war with the United States and Israel.
Trump had previously said the ceasefire would last until "10 p.m. on the 22nd, Eastern Time (10 a.m. on the 23rd, Korea time)." The two-week ceasefire he initially proposed was set to expire on the 21st.
In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social, he said, "Based on the fact that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply divided and at the request of Pakistan, I was asked to refrain from attacks until Iran's leadership and representatives put forward a unified proposal."
Trump also stressed that the naval blockade on Iran would continue, along with other preparedness measures.
\r\nMeanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported on the 21st that the Iranian delegation had conveyed to the U.S., through Pakistan as a mediator, its final position that it would not take part in the peace talks scheduled for the 22nd in Islamabad.
Tasnim said Iran had initially accepted the ceasefire and peace talks based on a "10-point framework" that the U.S. had agreed to, but explained that Washington broke its promises immediately after the agreement.
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dympna@fnnews.com Song Kyung-jae Reporter