In a significant development during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that the two nations have been engaged in discussions over the last two days. He also announced that the US has decided to halt attacks on Iranian energy facilities for a period of five days.
He characterized the talks between the two nations, which have been at war for more than three weeks, as 'very good and productive.' Without providing many specifics, he mentioned that both parties discussed 'a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.'
Trump announced on Truth Social, in his characteristic all-caps style, that he is delighted to share that the United States and Iran have engaged in very positive and fruitful discussions over the past two days, aiming for a comprehensive resolution of their conflicts in the Middle East. He once more characterized the discussions as 'thorough, detailed, and productive' and mentioned that they would persist over the week.
Trump halts attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure for five days
The President of the United States announced that, considering the 'tenor' and 'tone' of the discussions, he has directed his Department of War to 'delay' any assaults on Iran's power plants and energy infrastructure for a period of five days.
He wrote, 'Given the nature and tone of these comprehensive and productive discussions, which will persist throughout the week, I have directed the Department of War to delay any military attacks on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, contingent upon the success of the ongoing meetings and talks. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
We wish to have a conversation with them
Although the recent action by the US President was unexpected due to the lack of any indication of easing tensions from either side, Trump had shown a readiness to enter discussions with Tehran on Friday.
Following the deaths of many Iranian leaders in the ongoing conflict, Trump remarked on Friday, “No one wants to take charge there anymore. We’re facing difficulties. We wish to engage in dialogue with them, but there’s no one available… And you know what? We prefer it that way.”
In the meantime, a Bloomberg report released prior to Trump's most recent Truth Social post, referencing a source engaged in direct, high-level communications in Tehran, indicated that the officials there were unwilling to even consider discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime trade passage that manages a significant portion of the global oil trade.
Iran claims Trump 'backed down' following a warning
Describing Trump's statement as a 'retreat,' the Iranian Embassy in Afghanistan stated that the US President 'backed down' following Iran's warning.
Iran warned that if the United States strikes Iran's energy facilities, it will retaliate by targeting the energy infrastructure across the entire region. Following this warning from the Islamic Republic, Trump decided to step back and announced that he had ordered a delay in the attack, according to a post by the embassy on X.