n a dramatic shift from escalating rhetoric to cautious diplomacy, US President Donald Trump has paused planned strikes on Iranian energy sites for five days, citing “very good and productive conversation” with Tehran. Iran, however, has publicly disputed the claim of direct talks, asserting that the US decision was a climbdown following its warning of wider regional retaliation.
The announcement comes just a day after Trump issued a stark ultimatum, threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Trump’s Announcement
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated:
“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 these discussions, he said he had “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.”
Tehran’s Denial and Counter-Narrative
Shortly after Trump’s announcement, the Iranian embassy in Kabul struck a defiant tone, claiming the US decision was a climbdown.
“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,” the embassy posted on X.
Iranian media, including Fars news agency, further denied any direct communication with the US or through intermediaries.
Trump Responds to Iranian Denials
When asked about Iranian media denying the talks, Trump told Fox Business that he was unsure what they were referring to, adding that recent discussions had occurred with US officials Steve Wycoff and Jared Kushner and their counterparts. He suggested it was difficult to get accurate information out of Iran given the ongoing strikes on its infrastructure.
Trump also confirmed that Iran “wants to make a deal badly” and reiterated the five-day pause on strikes on energy sites.
The Ultimatum and the Response
The diplomatic pause comes just a day after Trump threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully reopened within 48 hours.
Iran had responded sharply, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warning that key facilities could be “irreversibly destroyed” if Tehran was targeted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that energy sites in countries hosting US bases would become “lawful” targets.
Market Reaction: Oil Prices Crash
Trump’s announcement triggered an immediate market reaction:
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Brent Crude | Fell by as much as 13%; last down 6.5% at $104 per barrel (from a peak of $119 on Sunday) |
| Stock Markets | Rose following the announcement |
| Bond Markets | Rose on reduced geopolitical risk |
Conflict Continues on the Ground
Despite the diplomatic signals, military action continues. Soon after Trump’s Truth Social post, Israel confirmed it was conducting strikes in the heart of Tehran, according to Reuters.
| Ongoing Conflict Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Iranian Missiles Launched | Over 400 ballistic missiles since conflict began (per Israeli officials) |
| Civilian Damage (Iran) | Over 81,000 homes and buildings damaged (Iran’s Red Crescent) |
| Displaced (Israel) | Over 2,700 people displaced due to Iranian attacks |
The conflict has also spread to other fronts:
- Iran-backed Hezbollah has launched repeated rocket attacks toward Tel Aviv.
- Israeli forces have conducted strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon.
- US sites in Gulf nations including the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have been targeted in Iranian retaliatory strikes.
What Happens Next?
The next five days will be critical. Trump has tied the pause on strikes to the success of ongoing talks. If diplomacy fails, he has made it clear that military action remains on the table.
Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas passes—has been effectively closed since February 28. Iran has said it will remain closed until damaged Iranian power plants are rebuilt.
