United States President, Donald Trump has announced a temporary halt to planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, citing what he described as “very good and productive” discussions with .
In a statement posted early Monday on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the decision followed two days of engagement between Washington and Tehran aimed at easing tensions and finding a pathway to a broader resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.
“The United States and 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,” he wrote, emphasizing the progress made so far.
The US leader disclosed that, based on the “tenor and tone” of the ongoing talks, he had directed a pause in any immediate military action. The proposed strikes had targeted Iran’s critical power plants and energy infrastructure—facilities widely seen as central to the country’s economic stability.
“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,” Trump added.
The announcement signals a potential de-escalation in a long-standing and volatile standoff between the two nations, whose relations have been marked by decades of political hostility, economic sanctions, and periodic military threats.
While details of the negotiations remain limited, the continuation of talks throughout the week suggests both sides may be testing the waters for a diplomatic breakthrough. Analysts note that even a short-term pause in military action could create space for confidence-building measures and reduce the risk of broader regional instability.
However, the five-day suspension also underscores the fragility of the situation. Trump’s caveat—that the halt is “subject to the success of the ongoing meetings”—indicates that military options remain on the table should negotiations falter.
For now, attention is firmly fixed on the outcome of the talks, which could determine whether the latest diplomatic opening leads to a sustained easing of tensions or a return to confrontation in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions.
AFP
