The announcement comes just a day after Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to “hit and obliterate” its power plants if Tehran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
In a potential de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump on Monday said Washington and Tehran have held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days, and announced a temporary pause on planned military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he has instructed the US Department of War to “postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period,” citing the “constructive” nature of ongoing discussions. He added that the decision would remain subject to the success of talks expected to continue through the week.
“I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had over the last two days very good and productive conversation regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East. Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed and constructive conversations, which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions,” Trump said.
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Iranian embassy in Kabul struck a defiant tone, claiming the US decision was a climbdown. In a post on X, it said, “Trump’s retreat after Iran’s firm warning. After the Islamic Republic threatened that in the event of any US attack on Iran’s energy infrastructure, it would target the energy infrastructure of the entire region, Trump backed down and stated that he had issued an order to postpone the attack.”
THAW IN US-IRAN TENSIONS?
The announcement comes just a day after Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to “hit and obliterate” its power plants if Tehran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Iran had responded sharply to Trump’s ultimatum, warning that any attack on its infrastructure would trigger retaliation across the region. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said key facilities could be “irreversibly destroyed” if Tehran was targeted, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that energy sites in countries hosting US bases would become “lawful” targets.
Tehran had also doubled down on its threat to shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor, saying it would remain closed until damaged Iranian power plants were rebuilt.
The latest development signals a possible shift from escalating rhetoric to cautious diplomacy after days of heightened tensions that had pushed the region to the brink of a wider conflict.
HORMUZ SHUTDOWN AND GLOBAL RIPPLE EFFECTS
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass, has already seen major disruptions since Iran halted traffic on February 28. The move has choked tanker movement, driven up fuel prices, and rattled global markets.
Oil prices have surged to multi-year highs amid the crisis, with Brent crude hovering around $110 per barrel after briefly touching $119 on Sunday.
However, shortly after Trump’s announcement on Monday, oil prices plunged. Brent crude futures dropped by around $17, or nearly 15%, to a session low of $96 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell about $13, or 13.5%, to $85.28, as per a report by news agency Reuters.
CONFLICT CONTINUES ON GROUND
Despite diplomatic signals, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Recent days have seen an uptick in US-Israeli strikes across Iran, particularly around Tehran and near the Strait of Hormuz, alongside retaliatory missile launches by Iran targeting Israel and parts of the Gulf.
According to Israeli officials, Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles since the conflict began, with air defence systems intercepting the majority of them.
The humanitarian toll is also mounting. Iran’s Red Crescent says more than 81,000 civilian homes and buildings have been damaged in strikes, while in Israel, over 2,700 people have been displaced due to Iranian attacks.
REGIONAL SPILLOVER
The joint strikes by Israel and the US triggered a sharp retaliation by Iran on the US sites in Gulf nations, with UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar bearing the brunt of the attack.
The conflict has also intensified along other fronts. Iran-backed Hezbollah has launched repeated rocket attacks towards Tel Aviv, prompting Israeli strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon.
