Tipsheet

Here's What Iran Is Up to After President Trump Extended the Ceasefire

Dmitri Bolt
Dmitri Bolt  |  April 22, 2026 11:30 AM

Iran appears to be testing the limits of the ceasefire, as less than 24 hours after President Trump extended it, the regime reportedly attacked three vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and seized control of two of them.

This comes as Axios reported that the ceasefire extension President Trump gave Iran on Tuesday is set to span an extra three to five days.

"Trump is willing to give another three to five days of ceasefire to allow the Iranians to get their shit together," a U.S. source briefed on the matter told Axios. "It is not going to be open-ended."

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so, and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," the president wrote on Truth Social. "I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other. President DONALD J. TRUMP."

This comes as internal turmoil within the regime continues to complicate any potential deal. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are reportedly unwilling to concede to U.S. demands, even as Iranian government officials and negotiators appear more open to compromise. That divide is seen as a key reason the last supposed agreement collapsed, not due to a U.S. failure, but because the negotiating party accepted terms the IRGC refused to honor.

To make matters worse, the Iranian government is continuing to flaunt its waning military might, parading a missile launcher through Tehran.

However, despite the failure to reach a deal, the United States has continued its blockade of Iranian ports and ships, costing the regime hundreds of millions of dollars a day, something administration officials say is severely crippling its economy. Even with that financial pressure, the IRGC and other hardline elements have shown no signs of backing down from their positions.

At this point, it remains unclear whether a negotiated solution is even possible, as ongoing military action appears, to some, to be a more decisive option.