The United States will hold off on striking Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, following constructive conversations with Tehran, President Donald Trump announced Monday.
The president also announced that any negotiated settlement would include Tehran handing over its supply of enriched uranium, a critical element of the country’s nuclear program.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“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.”
The military operation against Iran, Operation Epic Fury, began on February 28. The president previously suggested the campaign would last four weeks.
Iranian state television said the “US president backs down following Iran’s firm warning” in its initial reaction to Trump’s statement.
Oil prices dropped following Trump’s announcement. Global oil benchmark Brent crude dropped more than 7 percent with oil hitting $99 per barrel, after previously reaching $114 per barrel. U.S. benchmark WTI dropped 10 percent to $10 per barrel.
Over the weekend, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, promising retaliation if the country failed to do so, specifically targeting Iran’s power plants, noting “the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
The strait connects the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world and nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through it. Iran effectively closed the passage off to its enemies, which prompted Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum.
Iran’s Defense Council said “non-belligerent” countries can pass through via coordination with Iran, but any attacks on Iranian coasts or islands would trigger mines throughout the region’s Gulf sea lanes, essentially stopping potential future traffic through the strait.
U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said the Strait of Hormuz is “physically open,” but ships are concerned about missiles and drones fired from Iran. The strait has been effectively closed since the war began, spiking global oil prices.
Monday’s announcement is the first official confirmation of any high-level talks between the U.S. and Tehran since the conflict began almost four weeks ago.