Trump postpones strikes on Iran's energy sites, claims progress in talks
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Washington is holding off attacks against Iranian energy facilities for five days following "productive" talks with Iran on ending hostilities in the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 23.
The statement comes after Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants unless Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz — a maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply flows — within 48 hours.
After two days of "very good and productive conversations" with Iran, Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to postpone the attacks, pending the outcome of the ongoing discussions this week.
The U.S.-Israeli aerial campaign against Iran, now in its fourth week, has prompted widespread Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Middle East and driven a global surge in energy prices.
An undisclosed Iranian official source denied talks with the U.S., suggesting that Trump backed off due to fears of Iran's military retaliation and market pressures, state-affiliated Tasnim news agency reported.
Iran responded to Trump's initial threats by warning it would strike energy infrastructure in the region. Tehran also threatened to mine the Persian Gulf should the U.S. or Israel attempt to attack Iranian coasts or islands.
The ongoing conflict has had an impact beyond the Middle East, including in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The surge in oil prices is seen as a major boon for the Russian economy, as Moscow's ability to sustain its war effort in Ukraine is tied to its fossil fuel export revenues.
Market instability has also led the U.S. to ease sanctions on Russian oil, even as Kyiv urges increased economic pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing all-out invasion.
Iran has been a close ally of Russia during its all-out war against Ukraine, providing Shahed strike drones and helping it mass-produce its own offshoots called "Geran."
Drawing on its experience in countering Iranian-designed drones, Kyiv has dispatched its experts to the Middle East to help strengthen the defenses, though Trump has publicly dismissed Ukraine's offer of assistance.
