Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump's claim of a ceasefire extension and reiterated its determination to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, state media reported on Tuesday. The move escalates tensions in a conflict that has disrupted global oil supplies since late February.
Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he had directed the US military to continue the blockade of Iranian ports and extend the ceasefire until Iran submits a proposal. However, an adviser to the Iranian Parliament Speaker, Ghalibaf, dismissed the move as 'a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike', adding that 'the losing side cannot dictate terms'.
Iranian state media confirmed that Tehran did not request an extension of the ceasefire, contradicting Trump's assertion. The adviser reportedly said that 'the time for Iran to take initiative has come'.
The US has been at war with Iran since 28 February, when it launched joint strikes with Israel on key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by attacking targets across the Middle East and closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil passes. Washington has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the strait to pressure Tehran into negotiations.
Iran has declared it will not reopen the strait as long as the blockade continues and will break it by force if necessary. The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance and the US negotiating team would not travel to Pakistan as planned, though no further details were given about potential in-person talks.
