ISLAMABAD: Responding to US President Donald Trump’s latest call to extend the ceasefire, Iran has termed it without meaning until the Strait of Hormuz blockade ends.
An Iranian political commentator and adviser to the Speaker of Parliament has downplayed Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire deadline, which the latter had stated was being done at the request of Pakistan’s civil and military leadership
Calling it “meaningless,” the adviser warned that continued pressure and blockade measures could trigger military escalation, according to a post on social media platform X.
تمدید آتش بس از جانب ترامپ هیچ معنایی ندارد. طرف بازنده نمی تواند شرایط تعیین کند. تداوم محاصره تفاوتی با بمباران ندارد و باید به آن پاسخ نظامی داد. ضمن اینکه تمدید آتش بس از جانب ترامپ قطعا به معنای خرید زمان به منظور ضربه غافلگیرانه است. زمان ابتکار عمل ایران است.
— Mahdi Mohammadi (@mmohammadii61) April 21, 2026
Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the extension announced by U.S. President Donald Trump carries no political weight and does not alter the realities on the ground.
“The losing side cannot dictate terms,” Mohammadi wrote, arguing that the continuation of the blockade is “no different from bombardment” and should be met with a military response.
He further alleged that the ceasefire extension could be a tactical move aimed at creating time for a possible surprise strike against Iran.
“It is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike,” he claimed, adding that Tehran should not interpret the move as de-escalatory.
Mohammadi also suggested that Iran should shift to a more assertive posture, stating that “the time for Iran to take the initiative has come,” reflecting a hardline interpretation of the latest developments.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mohammadi also retweeted a post by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on X.
ترامپ با اعمال محاصره و نقض آتشبس میخواهد تا به خیال خود این میز مذاکره را به میز تسلیم تبدیل کند یا جنگافروزی مجدد را موجّه سازد.
مذاکره زیر سایهٔ تهدید را نمیپذیریم و در دو هفتهٔ اخیر برای رو کردن کارتهای جدید در میدان نبرد آماده شدهایم.— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 20, 2026
The speaker’s message was hours before the latest U.S. announcement extending the ceasefire deadline, which was originally set to expire early Wednesday before Washington moved to prolong the truce window.
The U.S. decision to extend the ceasefire was announced shortly before the deadline, amid ongoing tensions over parallel measures, including a continued naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route.
Washington has described the announcement as an effort to allow further diplomatic engagement and submission of a unified Iranian proposal.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the announcement and hoped that Iran and the US would strike a peace deal at the scheduled second round of talks in Islamabad.
However, Iranian reactions from political and security circles continue to reflect deep scepticism over U.S. intentions, particularly the blockade and broader security posture in the Gulf region.
Analysts say such statements underscore the fragility of the current ceasefire arrangement, with mistrust between both sides persisting despite ongoing mediation efforts by regional actors.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels still active but facing significant strain amid competing narratives over compliance, intent, and the future of negotiations.
