Read the full article on KETV 7
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is holding despite rising tensions over a U.S. blockade and Iran’s recent attacks on Western-allied ships. Iran attacked three Western-allied ships and seized two of them, an incident the White House says does not violate the agreement because the vessels seized were not from the U.S. or Israel. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that only President Donald Trump knows how long the ceasefire extension will last. “I think President Trump ultimately will dictate the timeline, and he will do so when he feels is in the best interest of the United States and the American people,” Leavitt said. Leavitt also stated that Trump has not set a deadline for receiving a proposal from the Iranians. Iran is questioning the validity of the ceasefire due to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade is preventing Iran from selling its crude oil, a key source of revenue. U.S. Central Command reported Wednesday that 31 vessels have been turned back since the blockade began.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, one of the country’s lead negotiators with the U.S. said on social media, “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy.”Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed that sentiment, adding, “Bad faith, siege, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiation.”Iran’s foreign ministry has cast doubt on whether it will even attend a second round of peace negotiations in Pakistan, claiming the U.S. has shown disregard and a lack of good faith. These talks have not been scheduled yet. Initially, Trump predicted the war with Iran could last four to six weeks. However, the conflict has now entered its eighth week with no end in sight.Vice President JD Vance, leading the U.S. delegation also made up of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, met with Iran’s delegation earlier in the month in Pakistan. Negotiations ended after 21 hours of talks without a finalized agreement. Vance was scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation for a second round of talks earlier this week, but the trip was postponed indefinitely.Questions are also circulating after the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job. The Pentagon didn’t give a reason for the unexpected departure. Although we don’t know why Phelan is out of a job, this is not the first time there’s been a major shakeup at the Department of Defense.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired top generals, admirals, and defense leaders since taking office last year. The Pentagon announced undersecretary Hung Cao who is a 25-year Navy combat veteran who ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate in Virginia is taking over as acting head of the Navy. Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
The U.S.-Iran ceasefire is holding despite rising tensions over a U.S. blockade and Iran’s recent attacks on Western-allied ships.
Iran attacked three Western-allied ships and seized two of them, an incident the White House says does not violate the agreement because the vessels seized were not from the U.S. or Israel.
Advertisement
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that only President Donald Trump knows how long the ceasefire extension will last.
“I think President Trump ultimately will dictate the timeline, and he will do so when he feels is in the best interest of the United States and the American people,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt also stated that Trump has not set a deadline for receiving a proposal from the Iranians.
Iran is questioning the validity of the ceasefire due to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade is preventing Iran from selling its crude oil, a key source of revenue. U.S. Central Command reported Wednesday that 31 vessels have been turned back since the blockade began.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, one of the country’s lead negotiators with the U.S. said on social media, “A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world’s economy.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed that sentiment, adding, “Bad faith, siege, and threats are the main obstacles to genuine negotiation.”
Iran’s foreign ministry has cast doubt on whether it will even attend a second round of peace negotiations in Pakistan, claiming the U.S. has shown disregard and a lack of good faith. These talks have not been scheduled yet.
Initially, Trump predicted the war with Iran could last four to six weeks. However, the conflict has now entered its eighth week with no end in sight.
Vice President JD Vance, leading the U.S. delegation also made up of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, met with Iran’s delegation earlier in the month in Pakistan. Negotiations ended after 21 hours of talks without a finalized agreement. Vance was scheduled to lead the U.S. delegation for a second round of talks earlier this week, but the trip was postponed indefinitely.
Questions are also circulating after the Pentagon abruptly announced Wednesday Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job. The Pentagon didn’t give a reason for the unexpected departure. Although we don’t know why Phelan is out of a job, this is not the first time there’s been a major shakeup at the Department of Defense.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired top generals, admirals, and defense leaders since taking office last year.
The Pentagon announced undersecretary Hung Cao who is a 25-year Navy combat veteran who ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate in Virginia is taking over as acting head of the Navy.
Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:
