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SULAIMANI, April 22 (Kurdish Policy Analysis) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington will delay a planned military strike on Iran and extend a ceasefire, citing internal divisions within Tehran and a diplomatic request from Pakistan’s leadership.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Trump said the decision followed appeals from Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who urged restraint as Iran’s leadership works to formulate a unified position.
“Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured… we have been asked to hold our attack,” Trump said, adding that U.S. forces would remain ready while maintaining pressure through continued blockade measures.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran following weeks of indirect confrontation across the region. While the United States had signaled readiness for direct military action, the latest move suggests a temporary strategic pause rather than de-escalation.
Trump emphasized that the ceasefire would remain in place only until Iran presents a “unified proposal,” indicating that Washington is leveraging time and pressure to extract concessions rather than abandoning military options.
Pakistan’s intervention highlights growing concern among regional actors about the risk of a broader conflict. Islamabad’s outreach suggests a push to position itself as a mediator while preventing instability from spilling across borders.
The reference to internal fractures within Iran is particularly notable, signaling that Washington may be attempting to exploit divisions within the Iranian political and military establishment.
The decision to delay strikes reflects a calibrated U.S. strategy rather than a shift in policy.
By maintaining a blockade and keeping forces on standby, Washington preserves escalation dominance while avoiding immediate conflict. This approach allows the U.S. to:
However, the strategy carries risks. A prolonged standoff could embolden Iran-aligned militias across the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria, where indirect attacks have already intensified.
Much will depend on whether Tehran can present a unified response—something Trump openly questioned. Failure to do so could trigger renewed U.S. military action.
For now, the ceasefire offers a narrow window for diplomacy, but with both sides maintaining pressure, the situation remains highly volatile.
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