US President Donald Trump has postponed planned strikes on Iranian energy sites for five days after what he described as talks on ending the war, as Iran issued new threats over the Strait of Hormuz and global markets reacted to the shift.
In a post on Truth Social, all in capital letters. The post is reproduced here in full and verbatim:
“I AM PLEASE 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.
“BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH 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. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”
Trump subsequently reposted this statement on Truth Social with some typos corrected.
The decision followed a 48-hour deadline set by Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries about a fifth of global oil and gas supplies. He had warned that the US would strike major energy sites if shipping did not resume. Attacks on energy and electricity infrastructure are considered war crimes.
Iran rejected the claim that talks had taken place. A source cited by Fars news agency said there had been no direct or indirect contact with Washington and claimed Trump had “backed down” after warnings of retaliation.
Iran’s National Defence Council said any attack on its coast or islands would lead to the mining of sea routes across the Gulf. It said this would block access beyond the strait and hold the attacking side responsible.
Tehran also warned it would target energy and industrial infrastructure in Israel and across the region if its own facilities were hit. Officials said power plants linked to US interests would be included.
Fighting continued across several fronts. Iranian missiles triggered air raid alerts in Israel, with reports of explosions and debris in multiple areas. Israeli authorities moved passengers at Ben Gurion Airport to shelters during one alert.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes hit infrastructure including bridges in the south. Hezbollah said it launched rocket attacks on Israeli forces near the border, though these claims were not independently verified.
In Iran, reports described strikes on residential areas and infrastructure, with casualties reported in several cities. Iranian officials said more than 1,500 people have been killed since the illegal war began on 28 February, though figures have not been independently confirmed.
The conflict has also reshaped how the war is presented and consumed. Commentary in The Guardian notes that US messaging has framed the campaign in simplified terms through social media content, including videos and imagery that present military action in a stylised format.
The report states that digital tools and automated systems have played a role in targeting decisions, reducing the time needed to identify strike locations. It also notes that the conflict has unfolded with limited direct engagement on the ground, while large volumes of online content, including unverified material, have circulated widely, affecting how audiences perceive events.
The conflict has spread across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting missiles and drones. In Abu Dhabi, debris from an interception injured one person.
Oil prices fell after Trump’s announcement. Brent crude dropped by about 13 percent to near $96 a barrel, reversing earlier gains that had pushed prices above $100.
Stock markets also shifted. The FTSE 100 moved into positive territory after earlier losses, while European indices recovered. Asian markets, which closed before the announcement, had recorded sharp declines, with Japan’s Nikkei down 3.5 percent and South Korea’s Kospi falling 6.5 percent.
The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said the crisis had reduced global oil supply by about 11 million barrels per day. He said the situation combined the effects of past oil shocks and gas disruptions.
“This crisis, as things stand, is now two oil crises and one gas crash put all together,” he said in remarks reported from Australia.
Governments have begun to respond to the economic fallout. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called an emergency meeting to address rising energy costs and supply risks. Downing Street said reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential for global shipping.
Starmer said there was “no assessment” that the UK was being directly targeted by Iranian missiles. He called for de-escalation while stressing the need to protect national interests.
Diplomatic activity increased after the US deadline. Al Jazeera reported that officials from multiple countries held calls with Washington and regional actors to prevent further escalation.
The conflict has also disrupted global trade routes and raised fears of prolonged instability. Analysts note that around 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas supplies and a large share of oil shipments have been affected.
Iran has maintained control over access to the Strait of Hormuz. Some vessels have been allowed to pass under conditions set by Tehran, while others have faced disruption.
Israel has said it expects fighting to continue for weeks. Iranian officials have said they will continue to respond to attacks and defend their infrastructure.
HT