Conflicting Statements Mark Expiration of Iran-US Ceasefire

A 14-day ceasefire between Iran and the United States, which began on April 8, reached its scheduled expiration early Thursday amid conflicting statements regarding its status and duration. Iranian state television reported that the truce ended at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Tehran time. Pakistan, which has been mediating between the two nations, stated the ceasefire concluded at 23:50 GMT, approximately 3:20 a.m. in Tehran.

In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that the agreement had been extended until Thursday evening in Washington, D.C. The discrepancy in timelines highlights ongoing diplomatic uncertainty as both sides weigh their next steps. Iran’s Foreign Ministry indicated it has not yet reached a final decision on whether to participate in U.S.-Iran peace negotiations hosted in Pakistan.

Military rhetoric has also intensified alongside the diplomatic developments. President Trump warned that he anticipates a resumption of airstrikes if hostilities continue. Conversely, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Tehran possesses undisclosed military capabilities, signaling readiness for potential escalation.

The expiration of the truce leaves the region in a period of heightened uncertainty, with official channels in both Washington and Tehran offering divergent accounts of the ceasefire’s current standing. As mediators work to clarify the diplomatic framework, both governments continue to issue public statements that underscore the fragile nature of the recent de-escalation efforts.