United States President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense to defer all planned airstrikes targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a period of five days.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Monday, stated that the decision is contingent upon the “success” of ongoing “meetings and discussions” between Washington and Tehran. He noted that the past two days had seen “very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East.”
Earlier, on Saturday, Trump had given Iran a 48-hour deadline—until just before midnight GMT on Monday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically crucial waterway currently obstructed by Tehran. The strait is responsible for transporting approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
In response to Trump’s threat, Iran warned that it would “irreversibly destroy” critical infrastructure across the Middle East, including essential water systems, if the United States proceeded with military action. Tehran further stated that power plants supplying electricity to American military bases, along with economic, industrial, and energy infrastructures with American investments, would be targeted in retaliation.
Trump had previously indicated that the objective of the conflict was regime change in Iran, urging “the Iranian people to reclaim their country.” However, the stated objectives have evolved as the conflict has progressed, lacking clear goals while causing significant global economic repercussions. The United States has also been affected, with gasoline prices surging amid escalating tensions.
Despite the targeted assassinations of high-ranking officials, including the former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government continues to maintain authority, with his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, succeeding him.
The postponement of airstrikes provides a temporary window for diplomatic engagement, though analysts caution that tensions remain high and the risk of further escalation in the region persists.
