The administration of Donald Trump has extended its ceasefire with Iran without fixing any deadline for talks, even as Washington continues to enforce a stringent naval blockade and intensify economic pressure on Tehran.
The move signals a calibrated strategy from the White House, combining a pause in direct military action with sustained financial and maritime restrictions, keeping negotiations alive while maintaining leverage over Iran’s already strained economy.
US extends ceasefire but maintains economic offensive
Washington said it is pursuing a dual-track approach, halting kinetic operations while escalating economic measures. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the decision as a tactical extension aimed at keeping diplomatic options open without easing pressure.
“President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire… and generously offering a bit of flexibility to a regime who has been completely tarnished because of Operation Epic Fury,” she said during a briefing on Wednesday (local time).
Leavitt underlined that the ceasefire does not imply a softening of Washington’s stance. “There’s a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues, and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well,” she said.
Blockade hits Iran’s economy, US claims
According to the White House, the naval blockade is significantly hurting Iran’s economy. Leavitt said Tehran is struggling to sustain oil exports and financial flows under the restrictions.
“We are completely strangling their economy through this blockade… they’re losing $500 million a day,” she said, pointing to the scale of economic disruption.
No deadline for talks, says White House
Despite the ongoing pressure, the administration has refrained from announcing any fixed timeline for negotiations. Leavitt dismissed speculation of a short window for talks.
“The President has not set a firm deadline… ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief,” she said.
When asked if the ceasefire or blockade could continue indefinitely, she avoided specifics, stating that the course of action would depend on what the President considers to be in the US national interest.
Internal divisions in Iran complicate negotiations
The White House indicated that divisions within Iran’s leadership are affecting the pace of negotiations. Leavitt pointed to differences between competing factions in Tehran.
“There’s obviously a lot of internal division… a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners,” she said, adding that Washington is awaiting a “unified response” from Iran.
She also noted inconsistencies in Iran’s communication. “What they say publicly is much different than what they concede to the United States… privately,” she said.
US officials have already held direct engagements with Iranian representatives, but uncertainty remains over who ultimately makes decisions within the Iranian system.
US says it holds the advantage
Defending the administration’s approach, Leavitt said Washington remains in a stronger position in the standoff.
“The cards are in President Trump’s hands right now… Iran is in a very weak position,” she said, adding that US messaging has remained consistent during the crisis.
“The United States and President Trump have been very clear in our demands and our red lines,” she said.
Separately, Leavitt said the administration is tracking developments in the aviation sector amid reports of a possible bailout for Spirit Airlines, but did not share further details.