Iran cease-fire extended: Letters to the Editor — April 23, 2026

President Trump and his advisors are seen during an announcement on researching the effects of psychedelic drugs in medical treatment for veterans, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. MediaPunch / BACKGRID

The Issue: President Trump extends his cease-fire with Iran to give peace another chance.

President Trump does not have all the time in the world to resolve the Iran conflict (“Trump: Peace talks in holding pattern,” April 22).

If he has yet to enact a plan to thoroughly rid Iran of these terrorist leaders, he’d better get to it.

There is no need to be strung along by negotiations for a deal that won’t hold water.

The world is watching while the Iranian people cower in their homes, hungry and starving for the peace and help they’ve been promised.

Don Whitman

Cross River

Trump is making it very difficult for Iran to trust him when he says he’s anxious to make a deal and end the war quickly while also threatening to bomb all of Iran’s bridges and energy infrastructure.

No doubt the Iranians are well aware that Trump’s poll numbers are at an all-time low and that he is coming under mounting pressure from leaders here at home and all around the globe to find a diplomatic end of his war even if it means eating some humble pie.

J. J. Crovatto

Ramsey, NJ

I support the president 1,000%.

But why would anyone think they could have “peace” talks with Iran?

The fanatical terrorism and “death to America” chants are not going to change.

Ever.

K.J. Jones

Bear, Del.

Iran was made militarily impotent by the might of the our armed forces and they still have the chutzpah to dictate terms to us.

If Iran’s leaders can’t agree unconditionally to our terms, then our job is not finished and Trump should continue to do whatever it takes to make them comply with the terms presented to them.

Seymour Srulowitz

Englewood, NJ

Trump doesn’t know how to negotiate with Iran.

You need to throw them to the ground, you put your military boot on their throat and you keep it there until they give up.

Michael Shapiro

Boca Raton, Fla.

It seems pretty obvious that Iran doesn’t want to negotiate in peace talks and keeps stalling — a tactic probably learned from Vladimir Putin.

NATO nations as usual sit on their hands not realizing this country is a threat to world peace.

Stalling only gives Iran more time to restock its arsenal.

Lou Morello

Massapequa

The Issue: Gov. Hochul and Mayor Mamdani’s proposed tax on high-value second homes in NYC.

Naturally, I’m inclined to want lower taxes rather than higher ones, and I believe the city and state would be better off cutting waste than introducing new burdens on us all (“Hochul: No new taxes! Really, I swear,” April 22).

However, if taxes do have to be increased, I reluctantly say that the proposed pied-à-terre tax seems fairer than most.

You need to be wealthy to keep a $5 million home largely unoccupied and, by not being resident in the city, you are not contributing to all the great things about the place that keep your empty home so valuable, both practically and financially.

If the new tax incentivizes a few of those “leavers” to return, then that’s no bad thing, either.

Jonathan King

Manhattan

Which Gov. Hochul is making sense?

The one who recently begged wealthy people to come back to New York or the one who wants to impose even more taxes on them?

She can’t have it both ways.

She’s a typical “anything for votes” politician who is caving to Mayor Mamdani, who has promised New Yorkers too many freebies with no other way to pay for them but to impose more taxes.

New York will eventually run out of other people’s money just like any socialist society.

What then?

Niles Welikson

Williston Park

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.