US-Iran ceasefire deadline: Hormuz risks rise in 2026

Ceasefire enters its final stretch

The United States and Iran issued fresh warnings that they are prepared for war as a two-week ceasefire approached its end, keeping diplomacy in doubt and markets focused on energy routes. The truce was described as fragile, with both sides accusing the other of violations over the weekend and into Tuesday. Iran’s stance was sharpened by its top negotiator’s warning that Tehran would not accept talks “under the shadow of threats”. Washington, meanwhile, indicated it was ready to restart negotiations in Pakistan. But Tehran did not confirm it would attend, leaving the next steps unclear.

Conflicting timelines on the truce expiry

The timing of the ceasefire deadline became part of the uncertainty. Based on the truce start time, it was expected to expire overnight on April 21 in Tehran time. But US President Donald Trump said in comments to Bloomberg News that the end was a day later, on April 22 evening Washington time. Trump also told Bloomberg it was “highly unlikely” he would extend the two-week truce. The differing public descriptions added to uncertainty about how long the current pause in fighting would hold.

Seizure of an Iranian cargo ship raises tensions

The standoff intensified after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to run a blockade. Iran accused the United States of violating the truce through a blockade of Iranian ports and the seizure of the ship. Separately, Iran vowed retaliation after US Marines seized one of its ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military released a video showing a US destroyer firing several times at a 900-foot Iranian cargo vessel during the operation. These actions became central to Iran’s argument that the ceasefire was being undermined.

Islamabad talks remain uncertain

Washington said Vice President JD Vance was set to return to Islamabad for negotiations, with Pakistan preparing for a second round of talks aimed at ending the wider war that has engulfed the Middle East and shaken global markets. A television segment referenced plans for Vance to travel alongside envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner for talks with little time left before the ceasefire deadline. Trump told PBS News that Iran was “supposed to be there” in Pakistan and said, “We agreed to be there.” Tehran, however, declined to confirm participation. An unnamed Iranian official, cited by Reuters in the supplied material, said Iran was “positively reviewing” participation while stressing no decision had been made.

Tehran’s message: talks not under threat

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Trump of trying to turn negotiations into a “surrender table” by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire. Ghalibaf said Tehran does not accept negotiations under threats and indicated Iran had been preparing to reveal “new cards on the battlefield” over the prior two weeks. Iran’s foreign ministry also said there was “no decision” on whether Tehran would attend the next round of talks. In a separate development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar that US “continued violations of the ceasefire” were a major obstacle to continuing diplomacy, according to an Iranian foreign ministry statement described in the supplied text.

Hormuz shipping warning becomes the pressure point

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they could target any vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without permission. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for global oil supplies, and the threat immediately raised the stakes for shipping and energy markets. Trump accused Iran of harassing shipping, reinforcing the maritime focus of the dispute. China’s foreign ministry called for the early restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and urged all parties to maintain momentum in ceasefire negotiations, stressing stability in the trade route.

Trump’s warnings and blockade claims

Trump said the ceasefire extension was unlikely and warned that if the truce expired “then lots of bombs start going off,” according to his PBS News comments in the supplied text. In another comment captured in the provided material, he said the US was offering a “very fair and reasonable deal,” while also issuing threats of major strikes on Iranian infrastructure if Iran did not accept the terms. The supplied text also referenced Trump claiming a US blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports was “absolutely destroying Iran” and would remain until there is a “DEAL.” These statements framed Washington’s approach as combining negotiations with coercive pressure.

Markets watch oil and risk appetite

The conflict and its ceasefire have been described as shaking global markets, and the Strait of Hormuz remained the key focal point because of energy flows. On Tuesday, oil prices fell while most stocks rose on lingering hopes for a deal that could end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The supplied text did not specify the size of the oil move or equity gains, but the direction reflected a temporary easing in risk sentiment. Any renewed disruption to shipping lanes would keep attention on freight, insurance, and energy price volatility.

Key facts at a glance

What happens next

The immediate next step is whether Tehran confirms attendance in Islamabad and whether the ceasefire holds through the stated deadlines. The supplied reporting suggests both sides are preparing for the possibility of renewed hostilities while leaving the door open to talks. With shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz now central to the dispute, statements and actions affecting maritime access are likely to remain the clearest indicator of escalation or restraint in the coming days.