WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump yesterday extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, as Tehran’s deadline to end the pause came and went without incident.

Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two-week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran’s “fractured” leadership time to form a proposal. But he said the US blockade of Iran’s ports — a sticking point for Tehran — would continue.

Trump had previously indicated he would not extend the ceasefire and had warned of a resumption of bombing when it expired.

“I have...directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until their (Iran’s) proposal is submitted,” Trump wrote on social media.

Ahead of Trump’s eleventh-hour intervention, it had been unclear exactly when the original ceasefire would expire, with Pakistan indicating it would end at 11.50 pm GMT (7.50 pm Malaysia time) yesterday.

This moment came and went with no reports of new military activity by Iran, which had said the ceasefire would end at 12 am GMT (8 am Malaysia time). Iran made no immediate public comment in response to Trump’s announcement.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan was hanging in the balance following Trump’s announcement.