Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran, stating that the Tehran regime was 'seriously fractured'. The last-minute move follows a request from Pakistan, which has been mediating in the conflict. However, the US president said the blockade of Iran's ports would remain in force.
The extension comes as the deadline loomed on the current fragile truce and proposed talks in Islamabad were put on hold, amid tensions over the ongoing stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz. The effective closure of the vital supply route during the conflict has inflicted a global economic shock and sent energy prices soaring.
On Wednesday morning tensions rose again after the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre reported an Iranian Revolutionary Guard gun boat had fired on a container ship in the strait around 15 miles north-east of the coast of Oman. The UKMTO said the attack caused heavy damage to the bridge of the ship but all crew were reported safe and there were no fires or environmental impact.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: 'Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.' He added that he had directed the military to continue the blockade and remain ready and able.
Meanwhile, military planners from countries seeking to join a UK and France-led defensive mission to keep the waterway open once the Iran war ends will meet in London on Wednesday. Fresh analysis published by the Resolution Foundation think tank also suggested an escalation in the Middle East conflict could lead to a sharp rise in UK Government borrowing.
In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer held talks with ministers and officials on the Government's work to ease pressures on the public caused by the conflict. The Middle East Response Committee discussed ongoing contingency planning such as work with fuel.
