US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, while simultaneously maintaining a blockade and keeping US forces on high alert, in what appears to be a continued escalation despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

In his statement, Trump claimed that the Iranian government is “seriously fractured,” and said the decision to delay further military action came following requests from Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow additional time for negotiations.

The move reflects continued US reliance on coercive pressure tactics, as Washington sustains its blockade on Iran while conditioning any de-escalation on concessions from Iran.

Trump said he had instructed US forces to remain in a state of full readiness, stressing that the ceasefire would remain in place only until Iran submits what he described as a “unified proposal,” with discussions to be concluded “one way or the other,” signaling that military escalation remains an active option.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian state television reported that Iran will not recognize the ceasefire and may not adhere to it, stating that it will act in accordance with its national interests.

Contrary to the outcome, Trump said earlier on Tuesday he believes the United States will ultimately secure “a great deal” with Iran aimed at ending the weeks-long war, even as he cast doubt on extending a ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday.

“I think they have no choice,” Trump said during an interview on CNBC’s Squawk Box, when asked what he expected from a second round of negotiations with Iran.

Trump also pointed to US military threats as shaping the current dynamics, saying, “We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders.”

“We’ve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational,” he added.

Insisting on the idea of imposing a "regime change" in Iran, he stated, “It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but I’ve done it indirectly.”