Lead

US President Donald Trump said he has not set deadlines in negotiations with Iran, as reports circulated about a possible extension of the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. The statements come amid heightened uncertainty over the future of the conflict and diplomatic efforts.

"Never a deadline," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if he was setting a time limit for dialogue between the two countries. He expressed confidence that an agreement to end the conflict would be reached, saying, "It will happen. It will happen. But never a deadline."

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the Iran-US situation has been mixed, with some outlets suggesting the Trump administration was prepared to issue a short ultimatum, while officials denied setting any firm deadlines. Axios, citing unnamed sources, reported that the US administration intended to give Iran a few days to return to the negotiating table, otherwise hostilities might resume. The same outlet indicated that Trump was willing to extend the ceasefire by three to five days, but that this extension "is not going to be open-ended."

However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against such characterizations. "The president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I've seen today," she told reporters. She specifically dismissed reports of a three-to-five-day deadline, saying, "That is not true. The president has not set a deadline himself."

Key Claims

  • No deadlines set by Trump: Trump and his press secretary have both stated that no formal deadlines have been established for Iran to submit a proposal or return to talks.
  • Ceasefire extension reported: Axios reported that the US administration intends to give Iran a few more days to decide on a deal, with the ceasefire extension not being open-ended.
  • Administration concerns: According to Axios, US officials worry about a stalemate, with fears that neither a military nor diplomatic settlement will be reached soon.
  • Trump's internal debate: Axios reported that Trump is wavering between launching new strikes and waiting for economic sanctions to take effect.
  • Midterm elections influence: The approach of the November 3, 2026 US midterm elections may be adding political pressure, according to a source cited by Axios.

Perspectives

US Administration

Trump and his team emphasize flexibility and a desire to avoid rigid timelines, while also signaling that the ceasefire is not indefinite. Leavitt stressed that the timeline "will be dictated by the commander in chief."

Axios and Anonymous Sources

Axios reports suggest a more urgent tone, with sources describing the ceasefire extension as limited and warning of possible resumption of hostilities if no progress is made. One source described Trump's mood as "frustrated but realistic," noting he "doesn't want to use force. But he's not backing down."

Iranian Perspective

Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to the Iranian parliament speaker, characterized the US ceasefire extension as a ploy to prepare a new surprise attack, stating that the US, as "the losing side," cannot dictate terms. These comments were carried by TASS.

Context

The current conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran. On April 7, Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire. According to Iranian figures cited by TASS, 3,375 Iranians died during the first 40 days of the war. On April 11, Iran and the US held talks in Islamabad, but both sides reported no agreement on a long-term settlement.