The White House pushed back on reports that the United States has formally requested an extension of the US-Iran ceasefire, saying negotiations continue behind the scenes but no extension request has been made. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called recent media coverage of a formal extension request “bad reporting.”
“I saw some reporting again, bad reporting this morning, that we had formally requested an extension of the ceasefire. That is not true at this moment,” Leavitt told reporters. She said the administration remains “very much engaged” in talks with Tehran and described the discussions as productive and continuing.
Leavitt also addressed reports of possible in-person talks, confirming such discussions are being considered but that no arrangements have been finalised. She indicated any next round would likely take place in the same location as the previous one in Islamabad.
“We feel good about the prospects of a deal,” Leavitt said, adding that meeting the president’s demands is “obviously in the best interest of Iran.” She said Trump has made his red lines clear to the other side and the administration is monitoring the talks closely.
The press secretary underscored that Pakistan remains the sole mediator in the negotiations, despite offers of help from other countries. “The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this process,” she said. “They are the only mediator in this negotiation.”
The clarification means the two-week ceasefire agreed on April 8 still runs on its original timeline, with the April 22 expiry standing unless a formal extension is agreed. Sri Lanka’s fuel supply outlook, battered by the Hormuz closure, remains exposed to that deadline: the CPC has secured shipments through April 30, but a post-April 22 breakdown of the truce could reopen pressure on May supplies.
