Iran rejects US conditions for talks, Trump extends ceasefire - IRIB

Iran hardline influencer Ali Gholhaki said on Tuesday US demands regarding Iran’s nuclear program and conditions related to the Strait of Hormuz were not acceptable to Tehran, arguing they cannot form part of any negotiation framework.

"Two main reasons for the non-holding of the Pakistan negotiation on Wednesday," he posted on X. "1. "Trump's insistence on including the lifting of the Strait of Hormuz siege in the Pakistan negotiations themselves" instead of "lifting the siege before the start of negotiations as a precondition" 2. "Unreasonable expectations in Iran's nuclear industry file" the details of which are in no way logical."

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday he, along with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, thanked US President Donald Trump for agreeing to extend the ceasefire to allow diplomatic efforts to continue.

"With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict," Shehbaz posted on X. "I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive ‘Peace Deal’ during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict."

Representative Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, said on Tuesday US President Donald Trump’s assessment that negotiations with Iran are nearing a deal is far from accurate, warning that such statements could complicate diplomacy.

Smith made the remarks in an interview with CBS News following a closed-door briefing by Pentagon and intelligence officials on the war in Iran, held before the announcement of a ceasefire extension.

The briefing included officials from the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Joint Staff, and the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, and was described as an update on the state of the war and ongoing efforts, the report said.

An advisor to Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Tuesday the US blockade must be met with a military response, dismissing any ceasefire extension proposed by US President Donald Trump as "meaningless."

“Extending the ceasefire by Trump has no meaning. The losing side cannot dictate terms. Continuing the blockade is no different from bombing and must be met with a military response. Moreover, any extension of the ceasefire by Trump is certainly a way to buy time for a surprise attack. Now is the time for Iran to take the initiative," Mehdi Mohammadi posted on X.

US President Donald Trump said he has extended the ceasefire with Iran after Pakistan requested more time for Tehran to present a unified negotiating position.

“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured … 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,” Trump posted on social media.

He added that he had directed the US military to maintain the naval blockade of Iran while remaining ready for further action.

“I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,” Trump added.