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[Anchor] President Donald Trump set the ceasefire deadline for the evening of the 22nd — which corresponds to the morning of the 23rd in Korean time. He also said the U.S. negotiating team will begin talks in Pakistan on the 21st, while warning that the chances of extending the ceasefire are very small and pressing for a deal. This is Jeong Ho-yoon in Washington. [Reporter] In a media interview, Trump said the temporary ceasefire did not expire at 8 p.m. local time on the 21st as previously indicated, but instead at 8 p.m. on the 22nd. Under the two-week ceasefire struck on the 7th, the truce was due to end Tuesday evening, but Trump appears to have unilaterally extended it by one day. If his timeline holds, the United States and Iran would maintain the ceasefire until 9 a.m. Thursday U.S. time. Observers say he appears to be interpreting the ceasefire window flexibly to increase the chances of reaching an agreement. Trump also said the likelihood of extending the truce further is slim and that talks would begin in Pakistan on the 21st. The confusion did not end there. He said the U.S. delegation led by Vice President Vance was “on its way” to Pakistan despite the team not yet having departed, and he predicted that talks — which had not even started — would be “concluded tonight.” Analysts are split over whether these mixed signals are a deliberate negotiating tactic or evidence of the difficulties surrounding the talks. Trump said he will keep the maritime blockade against Iran in place until an agreement is reached and vowed to resume military strikes immediately if negotiations fail. At the same time, he offered both incentives and threats, saying a prudent new Iranian leadership would receive economic support for reconstruction and prosperity after a deal. By extending the ceasefire window, the two sides have been given roughly two additional days to sit down and negotiate. With expectations that talks will be difficult, the standoff between the parties has intensified. This is Jeong Ho-yoon reporting from Washington for Yonhap News TV. [Video reporting: Lee Hyun-kyung] [Video editing: Yoon Hyun-jung] [Graphics: Lee Eun-byul] [News review] Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Jeong Ho-yoon (ikarus@yna.co.kr)
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