Trump to delay strikes against Iranian power plants for 5 days, citing ‘productive conversations’ to end conflict

President Donald Trump on Monday announced he would postpone “any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure” for five days, citing ongoing and “productive” talks with Iran.

“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 CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” he said on Truth Social as he announced a five-day pause on any strikes on the power plants.

Over the weekend, Trump threatened Iran, saying if it didn’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours he would “hit and obliterate” its power plants. Oil prices plunged following Trump’s announcement that he would delay the strikes, trading below $99 a barrel – down from $114 a barrel earlier Monday – CNN reported. 

Iran has disputed Trump’s claim of negotiations, as a senior official reportedly said Trump “backed down” for other reasons, including pressure from financial markets and U.S. allies. Trump responded to those claims ahead of his trip to Memphis Monday, telling reporters Iran has “to get themselves better public relations people.”

“We have had very, very strong talks. We’ll see where they lead. We have major points of agreement,” he said. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, were leading the talks that went into Sunday evening, according to Trump.

“They went, I would say, perfectly. I would say that if they carry through with that, it’ll end that problem, that conflict,” Trump said, noting that more talks were expected Monday by phone. “We’re doing a five-day period, we’ll see how that goes, and if it goes well, we’re going to end up with settling this. Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Trump did not clarify who was representing Iran in the talks, instead saying it was not with the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, but it was with a “top person.”

“Don’t forget we’ve wiped out the leadership, phase 1, phase 2, and largely phase 3. But we’re dealing with the man who I believe is the most respected and the leader. You know, it’s a little tough, we’ve wiped out everybody,” Trump said. He has repeatedly said he has not heard from Iran’s new supreme leader and that he doesn’t know if he is dead or alive.

In talks with Iran, Trump is looking to ensure it won’t obtain a nuclear weapon and said he wants peace across the Middle East. Asked if he still needs $200 billion in additional funding for Iran, Trump said “it’s always nice to have.” 

“We are very willing to make a deal,” he said. “It’s got to be a good deal, and it’s got to be no more wars, no more nuclear weapons.”

The Lion has reached out to the White House for comment.