: Thursday, April 23, 2026 08:27 AM
Washington. The Donald Trump administration has extended its ceasefire with Iran, while maintaining a widespread naval blockade. The White House has said that there is no deadline for talks and has indicated that economic pressure will continue on Tehran. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said the United States is pursuing a dual strategy – tightening financial and maritime sanctions while deterring military attacks. “President Trump has announced an extension of the ceasefire … and has generously given some flexibility to a regime that has been deeply disgraced by ‘Operation Epic Fury,'” he told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.
He clarified that the pause in military action does not mean a reduction in pressure. “There is a ceasefire on military and direct attacks but ‘Operation Economic Fury’ continues and an effective and successful naval blockade also continues,” he said.
According to the White House, Iran is suffering huge economic losses due to this blockade. “We are absolutely strangulating their economy with this blockade… They are losing $500 million a day,” Leavitt said, adding that Iran is unable to ship oil or maintain payments.
Despite mounting economic pressure, the administration has refrained from setting any timeline for talks. “The President has not set any specific deadline… ultimately the deadline will be determined by the Commander-in-Chief,” he said, dismissing reports that there was little time for talks.
When asked whether the ceasefire or blockade would continue indefinitely, Leavitt declined to give a clear answer, saying the President would decide “when he feels it is in the best interest of the United States and the American people.”
He also said that differences within Iran’s leadership were affecting talks. “There is a lot of division internally… there is a struggle going on between practical people and radicals,” he said, adding that Washington was waiting for a “unified response” from Tehran.
The White House acknowledged that contradictory signals coming from Iran have complicated the process. “What they say publicly is very different from what they say to the United States privately,” Leavitt said, and warned not to fully trust official Iranian statements.
He said US negotiators have already contacted Iranian counterparts directly, but it is unclear who ultimately has the authority to make decisions.
Defending the administration’s stance, Leavitt said Washington has the edge. He said, “At this moment all the cards are in the hands of President Trump… Iran is in a very weak position.”
He said the President’s public rhetoric during the crisis has not had any negative impact on negotiations. “The United States and President Trump have been very clear about their demands and their ‘red lines,’” he said.
Separately, Leavitt said the administration is monitoring developments in the aviation sector, particularly amid news of a potential bailout for Spirit Airlines, but did not provide any details.
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Web Title-Trump Extends Ceasefire with Iran Indefinitely; Naval Blockade to Continue
