Khaberni - CNN revealed the behind-the-scenes of President Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire, noting that the complexity of the negotiations stems partly from the efforts of guide Mojtaba Khamenei to stay out of the spotlight, which impeded internal discussions in Iran.
According to the American network citing sources, Trump met with the National Security Team at the White House on Tuesday to determine the next step with Iran, as the end of the ceasefire approached with complete silence from Iran regarding previously sent American terms, raising doubts about the negotiations of Vice President J.D. Vance scheduled in Pakistan, where the plane was ready at Andrews base but he received no response, according to 3 informed officials.
American officials urged the Pakistani army commander Asim Munir to obtain an Iranian response before J.D. Vance's travel, but no response came for hours, while senior Trump aides attribute the silence to divisions within the Iranian leadership about the stance and nuclear capabilities (enrichment and uranium stockpile), especially due to unclear directions from the low-profile Mojtaba Khamenei that impeded internal discussions. Nonetheless, an unconfirmed potential meeting soon emerged, so Trump extended the truce for two weeks instead of escalating.
According to sources, Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran for two weeks without a definitive date, describing Iranian officials as "highly divided" on Truth Social, adopting a diplomatic solution despite pressures. He also dismissed Tehran's request to lift the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz before negotiations, saying on CNBC: "We will not open the strait until a final agreement." Pakistani mediators sought to convince both parties, with expectations that joint economic losses would push towards a settlement. However, Iranian officials appeared unaffected.
Later, Mehdi Mohammadi, advisor to the Iranian Parliament President Qalibaf, rejected Trump’s extension of the ceasefire, describing it as "meaningless" and stating that "the loser does not set the terms," considering the continued blockade on the Strait of Hormuz as "aggression that warrants a military response."
The sources noted that the day began with Trump threatening "to resume bombing," but ended with extending the truce despite his advisors’ warnings of Iran's procrastination, which is digging out buried missiles, with unresolved issues such as nuclear enrichment and sanctions.
Over the past few days, Trump appeared very optimistic about his ability to negotiate a deal "better and finer" than the previous Iranian nuclear deal, based on his negotiation skills.
He remarked: "I think we will eventually end up making a great deal. And I see that they have no other option; we have destroyed their naval forces, their air forces, and their leaders as well."
Hours after those statements, while Trump was honoring a group of athletes at the White House, he maintained an unusual silence about the war during his speech and merely waved his hand to the journalists who tried to ask him questions about the conflict.
