US President Donald Trump has announced a temporary halt to planned military strikes on Iranian energy facilities following what he described as “productive conversations” between Washington and Tehran.
In a statement posted on his TruthSocial platform, Trump said the two countries had engaged in “in-depth, detailed, and constructive” discussions over the past two days aimed at resolving hostilities in the Middle East.
He confirmed that the US Department of War had been instructed to postpone all military action against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days, conditional on the progress of ongoing talks.
Trump emphasised that the pause was intended to give diplomacy a chance to succeed, noting that the discussions would continue throughout the week. “Based on the tenor and tone of these conversations, which will continue, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes… for a five-day period,” he wrote.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where concerns over energy security and the risk of escalation have drawn international attention. Analysts suggest that the decision to pause strikes could provide space for negotiations, potentially easing fears of a wider conflict.
Iran has yet to issue an official response to Trump’s statement, but observers note that the move signals a willingness by both sides to explore diplomatic solutions. The talks are seen as part of broader efforts to stabilise relations and reduce the risk of confrontation.
The US has previously warned Iran over its nuclear programme and regional activities, while Tehran has accused Washington of undermining its sovereignty. The latest development marks a rare moment of optimism, with Trump framing the discussions as a step towards a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities.
International stakeholders, including European and Asian allies, are expected to closely monitor the outcome of the talks, given the potential impact on global energy markets and regional stability.
For now, the five-day pause offers a window of opportunity for diplomacy, though the durability of any agreement will depend on the success of continued negotiations.
