US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a temporary pause on planned strikes against Iranian energy sites, citing “productive” discussions with Iranian officials, even as Tehran claimed the move reflected a US retreat under its “firm warning.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he instructed the US Department of War to postpone any military action against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. The decision, he added, is contingent on the success of ongoing 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,” Trump stated.
Iran’s response and media stance
Shortly after the US announcement, the Iranian embassy in Kabul described the pause as a “retreat” following Tehran’s warnings of regional retaliation. In contrast, Iran’s Fars news agency denied any direct talks with the US, adding that no communication occurred through intermediaries.
Trump, however, reaffirmed in a Fox Business interview that discussions had taken place, including Sunday night, with US officials Steve Wycoff and Jared Kushner in dialogue with Iranian counterparts. Trump suggested that Iranian state media may have misreported the interactions.
Escalation and prior threats
The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions. Just a day prior, Trump had threatened to “hit and obliterate” Iranian power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran had responded by warning of severe retaliation against any attacks, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declaring that key facilities could be “irreversibly destroyed.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) further warned that energy infrastructure in countries hosting US bases could become “lawful” targets. Tehran has also maintained its threat to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until its damaged energy installations are restored.
Impact on global energy markets
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical conduit for global oil and gas supplies. Since Iran halted traffic on February 28, tanker movement has been severely restricted, causing fuel prices to surge. Brent crude briefly touched $119 per barrel before settling around $110.
Following Trump’s announcement of a five-day pause, Brent crude prices fell sharply by as much as 13%, ending down 6.5% at $104 per barrel. Stock and bond markets also rose as traders interpreted the move as a temporary de-escalation.
Conflict continues despite diplomacy
Despite the US pause, the ground situation remains volatile. Israel continued air strikes in and around Tehran on Monday, targeting strategic sites. In retaliation, Iran has launched over 400 ballistic missiles since the conflict began, with the majority intercepted by Israeli air defence systems.
The humanitarian toll continues to mount. Iran’s Red Crescent reports over 81,000 civilian homes and buildings damaged, while in Israel, Iranian attacks have displaced more than 2,700 people.
Regional spillover
The conflict has spread beyond Iran and Israel. UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have experienced retaliatory attacks targeting US sites, while Hezbollah-backed rocket fire from Lebanon has triggered Israeli ground and air operations in southern Lebanon.
Experts warn that while the temporary pause in US strikes may allow space for diplomacy, the risk of escalation remains high given ongoing military operations and retaliatory actions across the region.
Conclusion
Trump’s announcement signals a potential shift from outright confrontation to cautious diplomacy, but the underlying regional tensions persist. With military strikes ongoing by Israel, missile attacks from Iran, and the humanitarian toll rising, the situation remains fragile, underscoring the complex interplay of diplomacy, deterrence, and conflict in the Middle East.