President Donald Trump told Bloomberg that the ceasefire with Iran will expire on "Wednesday evening Washington time," a day after the two-week mark from the original announcement.
IMPORANT: Trump tells @business's @jeffmason1 that the Iran ceasefire expires "Wednesday evening Washington time.”
— Eric Martin (@EMPosts) April 20, 2026
That's a day LATER than the deadline many had assumed (Tuesday evening) since the ceasefire was originally announced as lasting "two weeks..." https://t.co/XiVyDBrPZ7
He also told the outlet that it is "highly unlikely" the cessation of hostilities will be extended after it ends and the Strait of Hormuz will continue to be blocked until a deal is reached.
The remarks stand in contrast with a report claiming that Pakistan is looking to end the U.S.'s blockade of Iranian ports in the key waterway to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
Citing an Iranian official, Retuers detailed that Pakistan is making positive efforts towards that end, with Field Marshal Asim Munir telling Trump that it was an obstacle to talks. Trump promised to consider the advice and, a s a result, Tehran is "positively reviewing" its participation in new talks, the outlet added.
The Trump administration is also signaling that talks are taking place. In fact, CNN cited a person familiar with U.S. plans saying that Vice President JD Vance is expected to head to Pakistan on Tuesday for a round of negotiations on Wednesday.
The White House said there are no definitions on timing. "We expect the delegation to be on the road soon but unclear when." It is now unlikely that negotiations take place before the ceasefire between the countries end on Tuesday night.
However, Iran has said the ongoing blockade is an obstacle to conversations, especially after the U.S. seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship after attempting to bypass the blockade in the Gulf of Oman.
The development marks the first seizure of such a vessel since the U.S. blockade went into effect last Sunday. Trump said U.S. Marines disabled and seized the Touska after the "Iranian crew refused to listen."
Tensions have escalated since Trump said last week that hostilities were close to an end. He made a series of remarks claiming that Tehran had agreed to several of Washington's demands, including giving up its nuclear stockpile.
Tehran's forces rejected a claim from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about the Strait of Hormuz being open throughout the duration of the ceasefire and fired at vessels attempting to cross.
Tehran has also said it's begun rebuilding its stockpile of weapons and munitions during the ceasefire.
Brig. Gen. Seyed Majid Mousavi, commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Aerospace Force, said missile and drone launchers have been repaired since April 8, when the cessation of hostilities began.
"Our speed in updating and refilling missile and drone launch platforms is even greater than before the war," Mousavi claimed.
