President Donald Trump announced Monday he has ordered the U.S. military to postpone planned airstrikes against Iranian power plants for five days, citing significant diplomatic progress aimed at ending the month-long conflict in the Middle East.
The decision to stand down came just hours before a 48-hour ultimatum was set to expire. On Saturday, the President had threatened to "obliterate" Iran’s energy infrastructure—targeting its largest power plants first—unless Tehran fully reopened the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. The waterway, a transit point for 20% of global oil, has been largely blocked since U.S. and Israeli forces launched an offensive against Iran on February 28, 2026.
Writing on Truth Social, the President stated that the U.S. and Iran have engaged in "very good and productive conversations" over the last 48 hours. He expressed optimism for a "complete and total resolution" of hostilities. Trump confirmed he instructed the Department of Defence to delay all strikes against energy targets, though he noted the pause is strictly "subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions."
Before the postponement, Tehran issued a stark warning through its Revolutionary Guard. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, cautioned that any attack on the Iranian grid would lead to the "irreversible destruction" of water desalination and energy facilities across the entire Gulf region, potentially plunging neighbouring countries into darkness.
The conflict has already taken a severe toll on the global economy. Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, warned that the current energy crunch is more severe than the 1970s oil shocks. Despite the five-day reprieve, Iranian state media has denied that direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, suggesting a "measured" but skeptical stance from Tehran’s leadership.
While global markets showed immediate relief following the announcement, military analysts remain cautious. The postponement provides a narrow window for mediators, reportedly from Oman and Qatar, to secure a durable ceasefire before the threat of infrastructure "obliteration" returns to the table.