Trump announces '5 day break' for talks amid US-Israel-Iran war

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a five-day halt to planned military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure, citing what he described as “very good and productive conversations” between Washington and Tehran. The decision came just hours before a 48-hour ultimatum issued by the U.S. demanding Iran reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz was set to expire.

Trump said discussions over the past two days had focused on achieving a “complete and total resolution of hostilities in the Middle East.” Based on the tone of the talks, he instructed the Department of Defense to postpone all military action targeting Iran’s energy facilities for five days while negotiations continue. The pause follows a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries in recent weeks. Washington had warned that Iranian power plants could be targeted if Tehran did not allow shipping to pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil transport. Iran, however, threatened retaliation against regional energy infrastructure and warned it could mine the Persian Gulf if attacks occurred.

The announcement has raised hopes of a possible diplomatic breakthrough, though officials say the pause is conditional and military action could resume if talks fail. Markets reacted quickly to the development, with global oil prices dropping sharply as fears of supply disruptions eased.