US President Donald Trump said early Monday that he was shelving his 48-hr ultimatum to target Iranian power infrastructure unless it doesn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz by five days, as both sides are engaging in diplomatic efforts behind the scenes, despite their hostility.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that he was putting his threats to “obliterate” Iranian power plants on hold for the moment, following what he described as “very good and productive conversations” with Iranian officials on a potential resolution to the war.
“Based on the tenor and tone of these in depth, detailed, and constructive conversations… 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,” he wrote.
He added that the pause would remain “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions”.
Trump did not specify who was involved in the talks, the full extent of matters discussed, or whether any concrete commitments had been made by either side. Compounding the uncertainties, there was also no indication that Iran had agreed to scale back its military activity across the region.
All trade through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted, as the war between Israel, Iran, and the US has entered its third week. Additionally, despite the seemingly good discussions, Trump gave no suggestion that the waterway was likely to reopen any time soon.
Iranian authorities have also not publicly acknowledged any negotiations with Washington. Earlier on Monday, Iran’s National Defence Council warned that further US strikes on its power infrastructure would trigger “decisive and destructive retaliation”.
In a statement carried by Tasnim News Agency, closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the council said any escalation could expand to include attacks on energy infrastructure across the whole region.
The statement also referenced US threats to intensify operations against Iran’s Kharg Island – an extremely critical hub which handles the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports – and warned of broader consequences as additional American forces move into the region.
