US Pauses Military Strikes On Iran Energy Sites For Five Days Amid Ongoing Talks
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Washington and Tehran had held productive talks over the past two days and announced a five-day halt on planned American military strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure a notable pause in what had, until recently, been a rapid slide toward open war.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had directed the US Department of War to stand down on any strikes against Iranian power plants and energy sites, contingent on whether the ongoing talks continue to progress 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 wrote. “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.”
Tehran, however, was in no mood to frame this as compromise. The Iranian embassy in Kabul posted on X shortly after Trump’s announcement, calling it a retreat: “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.”
From threats to talks — but only just
The announcement follows a blunt ultimatum Trump issued just 24 hours earlier, warning Iran he would “hit and obliterate” its power plants if Tehran did not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iran fired back, warning that any strike on its infrastructure would bring retaliation across the region. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said key facilities could be “irreversibly destroyed” if Iran were targeted, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that energy sites in countries hosting US military bases would become “lawful” targets.
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Iran had also reaffirmed its threat to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut until damaged Iranian power plants were rebuilt.
Oil prices swing sharply
The Strait of Hormuz — through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies move — has been disrupted since Iran halted traffic on February 28. The closure has constrained tanker movement, pushed up fuel prices, and unsettled global markets. Brent crude had surged to around $110 per barrel and briefly touched $119 on Sunday.
After Trump’s Monday announcement, prices fell hard. According to Reuters, Brent crude futures dropped roughly $17, or nearly 15%, to a session low of $96 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell about $13, or 13.5%, to $85.28.
Fighting continues on the ground
The diplomatic signals have not stopped the shooting. Recent days have seen increased US-Israeli strikes across Iran, including around Tehran and near the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran responding with ballistic missile launches targeting Israel and parts of the Gulf. Israeli officials say Iran has fired over 400 ballistic missiles since the conflict began, with air defence systems intercepting most of them.
The human cost is rising on both sides. Iran’s Red Crescent reports more than 81,000 civilian homes and buildings have been damaged in strikes. In Israel, over 2,700 people have been displaced due to Iranian attacks.
Regional spillover
Joint US-Israeli strikes have triggered Iranian retaliation against American positions in Gulf nations, with the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar taking hits. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has also launched repeated rocket attacks toward Tel Aviv, drawing Israeli strikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon. Whether this week’s talks amount to anything remains to be seen. For now, the five-day clock has started.