US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, responding to a request from Pakistan and pending a "unified proposal" from Tehran.
This diplomatic opening remains limited, however: American forces are simultaneously continuing the blockade of Iranian ports, a sign of a strategy combining conditional de-escalation and continuous pressure.
The decision comes as the White House has suspended Vice President JD Vance's trip to Pakistan, where a second round of talks was scheduled to begin. Tehran, reluctant to continue discussions, has not yet confirmed its participation. According to a spokesperson for its Foreign Ministry, Iran will only engage if it believes the negotiations can yield tangible results.
With the initial two-week truce expiring on Wednesday, the prospects for an agreement appear fragile. Both sides have already warned that they are prepared to resume hostilities if talks fail. "We will extend the ceasefire until their proposal is submitted and the discussions are concluded, one way or another," said Donald Trump.
On the ground, the human toll of the conflict continues to rise: at least 3,375 deaths have been recorded in Iran, more than 2,290 in Lebanon, as well as 23 victims in Israel and several others in the Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers have been killed in Lebanon, while thirteen American servicemen have died in the region.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Iran. On Tuesday evening, rallies of hardliners took place in Tehran, as talks appeared to have stalled. Images broadcast by state television showed men armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles perched atop a ballistic missile mounted on a mobile launcher, likely a Qadr model.
In a statement read on air, an Iranian military spokesman warned against any further escalation, saying the armed forces would retaliate "immediately" against any aggression, targeting predetermined targets and promising an "even harsher" response against the United States and Israel.
These displays of force come amid persistent tensions, while the region remains suspended pending the outcome of a still uncertain dialogue.
