Ceasefire Extended for Only 3-5 Days! Trump Pressures for Negotiation Window as Iran Faces Internal Chaos

On April 22, multiple sources reported that U.S. President Trump has agreed to extend the U.S.-Iran ceasefire for only 3 to 5 days, rather than the long-term arrangement previously anticipated by the market, aiming to secure a final window for new negotiations. Pakistan stated that the second round of talks could resume within 36 to 72 hours, but Iranian officials responded through the Tasnim News Agency that they have ‘not yet decided’ whether to participate in the talks on Friday. The core issue hindering the negotiation process is the internal power structure division in Iran: hardliners represented by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are openly opposed to the civilian government on key issues, even rejecting existing negotiation outcomes. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not made a public statement for a long time, leaving the negotiations without a final decision-making outlet. U.S. assessments suggest that while a diplomatic path may still lead to an agreement, if Iran cannot form a unified stance by the deadline, military options will be reconsidered. Currently, the U.S. is using the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as a primary negotiation leverage, continuously pressuring Iran to return to the negotiating table. Analysts point out that this ‘short-term ceasefire + high-pressure negotiation’ strategy reflects the White House’s desire to quickly disengage from the Middle East conflict, but Iran’s internal disorder may become the biggest uncertainty in the negotiations.